Associations Between Bicycling and Reduced Fall-Related Physical Performance in Older Adults

Falls among older adults remain a significant public health issue. Bicycling positively influences falls risk factors including reduced balance, muscle weakness, and low self-perceived confidence in maintaining balance. However, this association has not been systematically examined. We recruited 107 community-dwelling participants aged 65 years and older in the Netherlands to determine the relationship between bicycling and falls risk factors. Participants completed three questionnaires on cycling behavior and balance confidence, and also undertook five falls-related physical performance tasks encompassing tests of balance, strength, gait, and endurance. On average, current bicyclists showed significantly better scores in all physical tasks and confidence compared with nonriders ranging from a 10% difference in 6-m walk time to a 141% difference in single-leg balance time (allps = .01). Type of bike used and duration of bicycling displayed varied associations (.01 < ps < .79). Our findings suggest that bicycle riding warrants further prospective investigation for fall prevention and active aging.

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Falls Risks and Prevention Behaviors Among Community-Dwelling Homebound and Non-Homebound Older Adults

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464816672043 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (9) ◽

pp. 1085-1106 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Carri Casteel ◽

Jennifer Jones ◽

Paula Gildner ◽

James M. Bowling ◽

Susan J. Blalock

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Falls Prevention ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Falls Risk ◽

Homebound Older Adults ◽

Risk Factors For Falls

The objectives were to examine falls risk factors to determine how the magnitude of risk may differ between homebound and non-homebound older adults, and to describe falls prevention behaviors and participation in falls prevention education. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with convenience samples of community-dwelling older adults recruited through Meals on Wheels programs (homebound, n = 80) and senior centers (non-homebound, n = 84) in North Carolina. Data were collected during home visits and included an interview and medication inventory. Multivariate negative binomial regression with robust variance estimation modeled risk factors for falls. Risk factors for falls observed in both the homebound and non-homebound populations are consistent with what is known in the literature. However, the magnitude of the risk was higher in the homebound than in the non-homebound population with respect to vision impairments, number of high-risk and over-the-counter medications, and use of walking aids .Few participants reported participating in a falls prevention program.

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´Feet are second class citizens`: exploring the perceptions of Scottish and Portuguese older adults about feet, falls and exercise- a qualitative study

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research ◽

10.1186/s13047-020-00434-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Monserrat Conde ◽

Gordon J. Hendry ◽

Jim Woodburn ◽

Dawn A. Skelton

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Falls Prevention ◽

Main Theme ◽

Foot And Ankle ◽

Falls Risk ◽

Risk Factors For Falls

Abstract Introduction Foot problems are likely to contribute to falls risk in older adults. Foot and ankle exercises may be beneficial, but uptake may be influenced by cultural factors. Few studies have explored the views of older adults from different cultural backgrounds about foot-specific falls risk factors, and foot and ankle falls prevention exercises. Objectives To explore the views of Scottish and Portuguese community-dwelling older adults who have experienced a fall, about any foot risk factors for falls, and foot and ankle exercises. Methods Cross-cultural qualitative study with (n = 6) focus groups exploring the perceptions of Scottish (n = 10, mean age 76 yrs) and Portuguese older adults (n = 14, mean age 66 years) aged, applying thematic analysis. Results One main theme `evolving awareness about feet and falls prevention´ and three subthemes; (i) Feet are often forgotten, (ii) the important role of footwear, (iii) need to look at my feet and do the exercises were identified. Scottish participants had more experience of falls prevention but there was a lack of knowledge surrounding foot-specific falls risk factors, and the role of ankle and foot exercise in the prevention of falls. Portuguese participants exhibited a fatalistic approach to falls. Conclusions Older adults from both nations had little knowledge of foot-specific falls risk factors, being initially unaware of the functional status of their feet and of the role of exercise in foot care and falls management. There were differences between national groups that should be accounted for when developing culturally adequate interventions.

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Association between physiological falls risk and physical performance tests among community-dwelling older adults

Clinical Interventions in Aging ◽

10.2147/cia.s79398 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 1319 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh ◽

Sharmila G K Pillai ◽

Suzana Shahar ◽

Sin Thien Tan ◽

Chu Chiau Tai

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Performance Tests ◽

Falls Risk ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Prevalence, Circumstances, and Risk Factors of Falls Among Community Dwelling Members of University of the Third Age

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.610504 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Asmidawati Ashari ◽

Tengku Aizan Hamid ◽

Mohd Rizal Hussain ◽

Rahimah Ibrahim ◽

Keith D. Hill

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Activity Level ◽

Step Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Falls Risk ◽

Risk Factors For Falls ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: Study aimed to identify the prevalence of falls and associated contributory factors among older Malaysians.Methods: A cross sectional study among community dwelling older adults aged 50 years and above. Self-administered questionnaires on history of falls in the previous 12 months, physical assessment and computerized and clinical measures of balance were assessed on a single occasion.Results: Forty nine (31.0%) participants fell, with 4.4% reported having multiple falls within the previous 12 months. Slips were the most prevalent cause of falls, accounting for 49% of falls. More than half (54.5%) of falls occurred in the afternoon while participants walked inside the home (32.7%), outside home (30.6%), and 36.7% were in community areas. More than half of respondents were identified as having turning instability. Step Test, turn sway, depression, physical activity level and edge contrast sensitivity were significantly worse for fallers (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that turning performance, visual acuity and back pain were significantly associated with falls risk, accounting for 72% of the variance of risk factors for falls among studied population.Conclusion: Falls are common among community dwelling older Malaysians. The findings provide information of falls and falls risk factors among community dwelling older adults in Malaysia. Future intervention studies should target locally identified falls risk factors. This study has highlighted the importance of instability during turning as an important fall risk factor.

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Impact of Malnutrition Status on Muscle Parameter Changes over a 5-Year Follow-Up of Community-Dwelling Older Adults from the SarcoPhAge Cohort

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13020407 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 407

Author(s):

Laetitia Lengelé ◽

Olivier Bruyère ◽

Charlotte Beaudart ◽

Jean-Yves Reginster ◽

Médéa Locquet

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

P Values ◽

Student’S T ◽

The Impact ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

This study aimed to assess the impact of malnutrition on the 5-year evolution of physical performance, muscle mass and muscle strength in participants from the SarcoPhAge cohort, consisting of community-dwelling older adults. The malnutrition status was assessed at baseline (T0) according to the “Global Leadership Initiatives on Malnutrition” (GLIM) criteria, and the muscle parameters were evaluated both at T0 and after five years of follow-up (T5). Lean mass, muscle strength and physical performance were assessed using dual X-ray absorptiometry, handgrip dynamometry, the short physical performance battery test and the timed up and go test, respectively. Differences in muscle outcomes according to nutritional status were tested using Student’s t-test. The association between malnutrition and the relative 5-year change in the muscle parameters was tested using multiple linear regressions adjusted for several covariates. A total of 411 participants (mean age of 72.3 ± 6.1 years, 56% women) were included. Of them, 96 individuals (23%) were diagnosed with malnutrition at baseline. Their muscle parameters were significantly lower than those of the well-nourished patients both at baseline and after five years of follow-up (all p-values < 0.05), except for muscle strength in women at T5, which was not significantly lower in the presence of malnutrition. However, the 5-year changes in muscle parameters of malnourished individuals were not significantly different than those of well-nourished individuals (all p-values > 0.05).

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Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score as a discriminator of dynapenic abdominal obesity among community-dwelling older adults

Geriatric Nursing ◽

10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.02.016 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 467-472

Author(s):

Elane Priscila Rosa dos Santos ◽

Caroline Fátima Ribeiro Silva ◽

Daniela Gonçalves Ohara ◽

Areolino Pena Matos ◽

Ana Carolina Pereira Nunes Pinto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Short Physical Performance Battery ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Diagnostic Power of Circulatory Metabolic Biomarkers as Metabolic Syndrome Risk Predictors in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Northwest of England (A Feasibility Study)

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13072275 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 2275

Author(s):

Razieh Hassannejad ◽

Hamsa Sharrouf ◽

Fahimeh Haghighatdoost ◽

Ben Kirk ◽

Farzad Amirabdollahian

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Roc Analysis ◽

Cross Validation ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Diagnostic Power ◽

Metabolic Biomarkers ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases with pathophysiology strongly linked to aging. A range of circulatory metabolic biomarkers such as inflammatory adipokines have been associated with MetS; however, the diagnostic power of these markers as MetS risk correlates in elderly has yet to be elucidated. This cross-sectional study investigated the diagnostic power of circulatory metabolic biomarkers as MetS risk correlates in older adults. Methods: Hundred community dwelling older adults (mean age: 68.7 years) were recruited in a study, where their blood pressure, body composition and Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) were measured; and their fasting capillary and venous blood were collected. The components of the MetS; and the serum concentrations of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-I (PAI-I), Leptin, Adiponectin, Resistin, Cystatin-C, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), insulin and ferritin were measured within the laboratory, and the HOMA1-IR and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) were calculated. Results: Apart from other markers which were related with some cardiometabolic (CM) risk, after Bonferroni correction insulin had significant association with all components of Mets and AIP. These associations also remained significant in multivariate regression. The multivariate odds ratio (OR with 95% confidence interval (CI)) showed a statistically significant association between IL-6 (OR: 1.32 (1.06–1.64)), TNF-α (OR: 1.37 (1.02–1.84)), Resistin (OR: 1.27 (1.04–1.54)) and CRP (OR: 1.29 (1.09–1.54)) with MetS risk; however, these associations were not found when the model was adjusted for age, dietary intake and adiposity. In unadjusted models, insulin was consistently statistically associated with at least two CM risk factors (OR: 1.33 (1.16–1.53)) and MetS risk (OR: 1.24 (1.12–1.37)) and in adjusted models it was found to be associated with at least two CM risk factors and MetS risk (OR: 1.87 (1.24–2.83) and OR: 1.25 (1.09–1.43)) respectively. Area under curve (AUC) for receiver operating characteristics (ROC) demonstrated a good discriminatory diagnostics power of insulin with AUC: 0.775 (0.683–0.866) and 0.785 by cross validation and bootstrapping samples for at least two CM risk factors and AUC: 0.773 (0.653–0.893) and 0.783 by cross validation and bootstrapping samples for MetS risk. This was superior to all other AUC reported from the ROC analysis of other biomarkers. Area under precision-recall curve for insulin was also superior to all other markers (0.839 and 0.586 for at least two CM risk factors and MetS, respectively). Conclusion: Fasting serum insulin concentration was statistically linked with MetS and its risk, and this link is stronger than all other biomarkers. Our ROC analysis confirmed the discriminatory diagnostic power of insulin as CM and MetS risk correlate in older adults.

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A Modified CAIDE Risk Score as a Screening Tool for Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease ◽

10.3233/jad-210269 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Magdalena I. Tolea ◽

Jaeyeong Heo ◽

Stephanie Chrisphonte ◽

James E. Galvin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Risk Score ◽

Clinical Sample ◽

Community Sample ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cognitive Testing ◽

Risk Scores ◽

Predictive Values

Background: Although an efficacious dementia-risk score system, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia (CAIDE) was derived using midlife risk factors in a population with low educational attainment that does not reflect today’s US population, and requires laboratory biomarkers, which are not always available. Objective: Develop and validate a modified CAIDE (mCAIDE) system and test its ability to predict presence, severity, and etiology of cognitive impairment in older adults. Methods: Population consisted of 449 participants in dementia research (N = 230; community sample; 67.9±10.0 years old, 29.6%male, 13.7±4.1 years education) or receiving dementia clinical services (N = 219; clinical sample; 74.3±9.8 years old, 50.2%male, 15.5±2.6 years education). The mCAIDE, which includes self-reported and performance-based rather than blood-derived measures, was developed in the community sample and tested in the independent clinical sample. Validity against Framingham, Hachinski, and CAIDE risk scores was assessed. Results: Higher mCAIDE quartiles were associated with lower performance on global and domain-specific cognitive tests. Each one-point increase in mCAIDE increased the odds of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by up to 65%, those of AD by 69%, and those for non-AD dementia by > 85%, with highest scores in cases with vascular etiologies. Being in the highest mCAIDE risk group improved ability to discriminate dementia from MCI and controls and MCI from controls, with a cut-off of ≥7 points offering the highest sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. Conclusion: mCAIDE is a robust indicator of cognitive impairment in community-dwelling seniors, which can discriminate well between dementia severity including MCI versus controls. The mCAIDE may be a valuable tool for case ascertainment in research studies, helping flag primary care patients for cognitive testing, and identify those in need of lifestyle interventions for symptomatic control.

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Polish Translation and Validation of the Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment (MSRA) Questionnaire to Assess Nutritional and Non-Nutritional Risk Factors of Sarcopenia in Older Adults

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041061 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1061

Author(s):

Roma Krzymińska-Siemaszko ◽

Ewa Deskur-Śmielecka ◽

Arkadiusz Styszyński ◽

Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Predictive Value ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Nutritional Risk ◽

Polish Language ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

Translation And Validation

A simple, short, cheap, and reasonably sensitive and specific screening tool assessing both nutritional and non-nutritional risk factors for sarcopenia is needed. Potentially, such a tool may be the Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment (MSRA) Questionnaire, which is available in a seven-item (MSRA-7) and five-item (MSRA-5) version. The study’s aim was Polish translation and validation of both MSRA versions in 160 volunteers aged ≥60 years. MSRA was validated against the six sets of international diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia used as the reference standards. PL-MSRA-7 and PL-MSRA-5 both had high sensitivity (≥84.9%), regardless of the reference standard. The PL-MSRA-5 had better specificity (44.7–47.2%) than the PL-MSRA-7 (33.1–34.7%). Both questionnaires had similarly low positive predictive value (PL-MSRA-5: 17.9–29.5%; PL-MSRA-7: 14.4–25.2%). The negative predictive value was generally high for both questionnaires (PL-MSRA-7: 89.8–95.9%; PL-MSRA-5: 92.3–98.5%). PL-MSRA-5 had higher accuracy than the PL-MSRA-7 (50.0–55% vs. 39.4–45%, respectively). Based on the results, the Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment questionnaire was successfully adopted to the Polish language and validated in community-dwelling older adults from Poland. When compared with PL-MSRA-7, PL-MSRA-5 is a better tool for sarcopenia risk assessment.

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Gender-Related Differences in Physical Performance among Seniors

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.13.3.239 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 239-253 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Kristin Musselman ◽

Brenda Brouwer

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Activity Level ◽

Muscle Performance ◽

Related Factors ◽

Balance Confidence ◽

Limits Of Stability ◽

Gender Specific

This study examined gender differences in balance, gait, and muscle performance in seniors and identified gender-specific factors contributing to physical performance. Forty (20 men, 20 women) healthy, community-dwelling seniors (74.5 ± 5.3 years) participated. Limits of stability, gait speed, lower limb flexor and extensor isokinetic concentric peak torques, self-reported activity level, and balance confidence were measured. No gender differences were detected in gait speed, limits of stability when normalized to height, activity level, or balance confidence (p≥ .188). Women were weaker than men (p≤ .007), even after controlling for weight and body-mass index, suggesting that other gender-related factors contribute to strength. Gender accounted for 18–46% of the variance in strength and served as a modifier of the relationship between activity level and strength in some muscle groups. The primary factors relating to gender-specific strength was activity level in men and body weight in women.

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