Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Falls in Well-Functioning Older Adults: Findings From the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.
Anthony J Nastasi, Alka Ahuja, Vadim Zipunnikov and 3 others
PMID 28915202WHAT IT FOUND
Overall activity levels did not differ between fallers and non-fallers.
However, people who fell during routine tasks were less active than those who fell during risky tasks, particularly in the afternoon and evening. Poor balance was linked to lower activity levels during these times.
Key findings
01Total daily physical activity did not significantly differ between those who reported falling and those who did not.
02Participants who fell during normal or routine activities had significantly lower physical activity levels in the afternoon and evening compared to those who fell during risky or unusual activities.
03Individuals reporting poor balance showed significantly lower physical activity levels beginning in the afternoon and lasting into the night compared to those without balance difficulties.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study is cross-sectional, so it cannot determine if low activity causes falls or if fear of falling causes low activity. Fall history was based on self-report, which is subject to recall bias; less severe falls may have been forgotten. The participants were healthier and more functional than the general population, which may underestimate the true relationship between comorbidities, activity, and falls.
Declared interests
The authors declared no sources of funding or conflicts of interest relevant to the analysis.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that increasing overall physical activity prevents falls. The study found no difference in total daily activity between fallers and non-fallers. The differences were found in specific time-of-day patterns and between types of falls, not in the total amount of movement.