Taking it to the Water: Balance Training Programs in Aquatic Environments can Lower the Risk Factors for Falls in High-Risk Older Adults.

Abstract Background: Several models and algorithms were designed to identify older adults at risk of falling supported on an intrinsically and extrinsically traditional approach. However, the dynamic interaction between multiple risk factors for falls must be considered. The present study aimed to design a dynamic performance-exposure algorithm for falling risk assessment and fall prevention in community-dwelling older adults.Methods: The study involved 1) a cross-sectional survey assessing retrospective falls, performance-related risk factors for falls (sociodemographic such as gender and age, cognitive, health conditions, body composition, physical fitness, and dual-task outcomes), exposure risk factors (environmental hazards and (in)physical activity), and performance-exposure risk factors (affordance perception), and 2) follow-up survey assessing prospective falls. Participants were Portuguese community dwellings (≥ 65 years). Data were reported based upon descriptive statistics, curve estimation regression, binary logistic regression, and ROC curve.Results: The selected and ordered outcomes included in the algorithm and respective cutoffs were: (1) falls in previous year (high risk: n>1, moderated: n=1, low risk: n=0); (2) health conditions (high risk: n >3, moderated: n=3, low risk: n<3); (3) multidimensional balance (high risk: score <32 points, moderated risk: 32 points ≤ score ≤33 points, low risk: score>33); (4) lower body strength (high risk: rep/30s< 11, moderated risk: 11≤ rep/30s ≤14, low risk: rep/30s >4); (5) perceiving action boundaries (high risk: overestimation bias, moderated risk: not applied, low risk: underestimation bias); (6) fat body mass (high risk: % fat >38, moderated risk: 37≤ % fat ≤38, low risk: % fat <7); (7) environmental hazards (high risk: n>5, moderated risk: n=5, low risk: n<5); (8) rest period (high risk: hours/day >4.5, moderated risk: 4≤ hours/day ≤4.5, low risk: hours/day <4); (9) physical activity metabolic expenditure (high risk: MET-min/week <2300 or >5200, moderated risk: 2300≤ MET-min/week <2800, low risk: 2800≤ MET-min/week ≤5200).Conclusions: Results demonstrated a dynamic relationship between older adults’ performance capacity and the exposure to falls opportunity, supporting the build algorithm’s conceptual framework. Fall prevention measures should consider the above factors that most contribute to the individual risk of falling, relative weights, and their distance from low-risk value, as proposed in the dynamic algorithm.

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Agility-based exercise training compared to traditional strength and balance training in older adults: a pilot randomized trial

10.31236/osf.io/ax2ph ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eric Lichtenstein ◽

Mareike Morat ◽

ralf roth ◽

Lars Donath ◽

Oliver Faude

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Plantar Flexion ◽

Balance Training ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Group Setting ◽

Risk Factors For Falls ◽

Trunk Extension

Background. In addition to generally high levels of physical activity, multi-component exercise training is recommended for the maintenance of health and fitness in older adults, including the prevention of falls and frailty. This training often encompasses serial sequencing of balance, strength, endurance and other types of exercise. Exercise training featuring integrative training of these components (i.e. agility training) has been proposed, as it more likely reflects real life challenges like stop-and-go patterns, cutting manoeuvers, turns and decision-making. In this study, we compared the efficacy of an agility-based training to the traditional strength and balance training approach with regard to selected risk factors for falls and frailty.Methods. We trained twenty-seven community-dwelling healthy seniors (16♂; 11♀; age: 69.5 ± 5.3 y; BMI: 26.4 ± 3.7 kg/m2) for 8 weeks in a group setting with 3 sessions per week, each lasting 50 minutes. Participants were randomized into either the agility group (AGI; n=12), that used the integrative multi-component training, or the traditional strength and balance group (TSB; n=15). TSB performed balance and strength exercises separately, albeit within the same session. The training of both groups progressively increased in difficulty. Outcomes were static and dynamic balance (single leg eyes open stand, Y-balance test, reactive balance), lower limb (plantar flexion and dorsal extension) and trunk flexion and extension maximum strength and rate of torque development (RTD). In addition, we tested endurance by the six-minute walk test (6MWT). We calculated linear mixed effects models for between-groups comparisons as well as effect sizes (ES) with 95 % confidence intervals. Results. Small ES in favor of AGI were found for plantar flexion strength (ES>0.18[-0.27;0.89]) and RTD (ES>0.43[-0.19;1.36]) as well as trunk extension RTD (ES=0.35[-0.05;0.75]). No other parameters showed notable between group differences. Compliance was high in both groups (AGI: 90 ± 8 % of sessions; TSB: 91 ± 7 % of sessions).Discussion. Agility-based exercise training seems at least as efficacious as traditional strength and balance training in affecting selected fall risk factors among community-dwelling healthy seniors. Especially lower limb and trunk extension explosive strength seem to benefit from the agility training.

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Interaction Identification of Risk Factors for Falls in Older Adults Using Decision-tree Analysis

Korean Journal of Sport Studies ◽

10.23949/kjpe.2020.7.59.4.25 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 (4) ◽

pp. 369-380

Author(s):

Chun-jong Kim

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Decision Tree ◽

Decision Tree Analysis ◽

Tree Analysis ◽

Falls In Older Adults ◽

Risk Factors For Falls

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Comparison of The Risk Factors For Falls Among Older Adults Between Urban and Rural Areas of Shantou City, China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-72830/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaodong Chen ◽

Zeting Lin ◽

Ran Gao ◽

Yijian Yang ◽

Liping Li

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Fall Prevention ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Living Environment ◽

Balance Function ◽

Urban And Rural Areas ◽

Risk Factors For Falls

Abstract Background: To investigate the prevalence of falls and risk factors among older adults in urban and rural areas and to facilitate the design of fall prevention interventions.Methods: We used cluster random sampling to investigate the sociodemographic information, living habits, medical history, and falls among 649 older adult participants. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to examine fall risk factors in urban and rural areas.Results: The fall rate and rate of injury from falls among older adults in urban areas were 27.3% and 18.6%, respectively, which were higher than those in rural areas (17.0% and 12.2%; P<0.05). Multivariable analysis showed that the risk factors for falls among urban older adults included a high school or below education level (OR=3.737, 95% CI: 1.503~9.291); diabetes medicine use (OR=4.518, 95% CI: 1.228~16.626); incontinence (OR=8.792, 95% CI: 1.894~40.824); lack of fall prevention education (OR = 11.907, 95% CI: 1.321～107.354); and reduced balance function (OR = 3.901, 95% CI: 1.894~7.815). The risk factors among rural older adults included a previous nonfarming occupation (OR=2.496, 95% CI: 1.416~4.398); incontinence (OR =11.396, 95% CI: 1.901~68.327); poor living environment (OR=3.457, 95% CI: 1.488~8.033); and reduced balance function (OR =4.260, 95% CI: 2.361~7.688).Discussion: The rate of falls among older adults in urban areas is higher than that in rural areas of Shantou City. Fall prevention in urban areas should target older adults with low education and modify the diabetes medication use. Interventions should focus on improving the home environment of older adults in rural areas.

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A Comprehensive Assessment of Risk Factors for Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Journal of Gerontological Nursing ◽

10.3928/00989134-20180913-04 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (10) ◽

pp. 40-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yunchuan (Lucy) Zhao ◽

Jenny Alderden ◽

Bonnie K. Lind ◽

Heejung Kim

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Comprehensive Assessment ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Risk Factors For Falls ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Special high-risk factors in suicide among older adults.

Elder suicide: Research, theory and treatment. ◽

10.1037/10159-003 ◽

2004 ◽

pp. 101-131

Author(s):

John L. McIntosh ◽

John F. Santos ◽

Richard W. Hubbard ◽

James C. Overholser

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

High Risk ◽

High Risk Factors

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Investigating Risk Factors for Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults According to Who’s Risk Factor Model for Falls

The journal of nutrition health & aging ◽

10.1007/s12603-020-1539-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

X. X. Qian ◽

Pui Hing Chau ◽

C. W. Kwan ◽

V. W. Q. Lou ◽

A. Y. M. Leung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Factor Model ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Risk Factor Model ◽

Risk Factors For Falls ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Risk of falls and fear of falling in older adults residing in public housing in Ontario, Canada: findings from a multisite observational study

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-019-1399-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Melissa Pirrie ◽

Guneet Saini ◽

Ricardo Angeles ◽

Francine Marzanek ◽

Jenna Parascandalo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Public Housing ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽

Medical Attention ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

The Past ◽

Risk Factors For Falls

Abstract Background Falls in older adults is a widely researched topic. However, older adults residing in public housing are a vulnerable population that may have unique risk factors for falls. This study aims to describe the prevalence and risk factors for falls, fear of falling, and seeking medical attending for falls in this population. Methods Sociodemographic and health-related data was collected as part of a community-based health assessment program with older adults in public housing. Three pre-screening questions identified individuals at potential risk for falls; individuals who screened positive performed the objective Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors for four outcome variables: falls in the past year, seeking medical attention for falls, fear of falling, and objectively measured fall risk via TUG test. Results A total of 595 participants were evaluated, of which the majority were female (81.3%), white (86.7%), did not have a high school diploma (50.0%), and reported problems in mobility (56.2%). The prevalence of falls in the past year was 34.5%, seeking medical attention for falls was 20.2% and fear of falling was 38.8%. The TUG test was completed by 257 participants. Notably, males had significantly reduced odds of seeking medical attention for a fall (OR = 0.50, 95%CI 0.25–0.98) and having a fear of falling (OR = 0.42, 95%CI 0.24–0.76); daily fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with decreased odds of having a fall in the past year (OR = 0.55, 95%CI 0.37–0.83), and alcohol consumption was associated with increased odds of fear of falling (OR = 1.72, 95%CI 1.03–2.88). Conclusion Older adults residing in public housing have unique risk factors associated with social determinants of health, such as low fruit and vegetable consumption, which may increase their risk for falls. The findings of this study can be used to inform falls interventions for this population and identify areas for further research.

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