Physical Fitness among Community-Dwelling Older Women with and without Risk of Falling—The Taipei Study, Taiwan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Chen-Yi Song¹  Shao-Hsi Chang²  Pei-Hsin Fang³  I-Yao Fang³  Jau-Yih Tsauo⁴ 

[1] Department of Long-Term Care, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei 112, Taiwan;Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106, Taiwan;Physical Education Center, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan 710, Taiwan;School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan;

关键词: falls;    fall risk;    senior fitness test;    elderly;    aged;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph18147243

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The purposes of this study were to compare the differences in physical fitness between community-dwelling older women fallers and non-fallers, with and without a risk of falling, and to investigate the relation between physical fitness and falling risk factors. This study was a secondary data analysis from a community- and exercise-based fall-prevention program. Baseline assessments pertaining to body weight and height, self-reported chronic diseases, the 12-item fall risk questionnaire (FRQ), senior fitness test, single-leg stand test, and handgrip strength test were extracted. Participants (n = 264) were classified into fallers and non-fallers, and sub-classified according to the risk of falling (FRQ ≥4 and <4). While controlling for the effect of age, body mass index (BMI), and multimorbidity, one-way analysis of covariance indicated that older women with a risk of falling showed poorer performances of the 8-foot up-and-go, 2-min step and 30-s chair stand compared with those without a risk of falling, regardless of the history of falls. Additionally, weaker grip strength was found in non-fallers with falling risk. Some significant, but low-to-moderate, correlations were found between physical fitness tests and fall risk factors in the FRQ, particularly in gait/balance problem and leg muscle weakness. Proactive efforts are encouraged to screen and manage deterioration in the identified physical fitness.

【 授权许可】

Unknown