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Preventing falls in physically active community-dwelling older people: a comparison of two intervention techniques
Ellen Freiberger1, Hylton B Menz, Karim Abu-Omar
1Institut fur Sportwissenschaft und Sport, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen, Germany. ellen.freiberger@sport.uni-erlangen.de
Gerontology
|May 31, 2007
Summary
Fitness training significantly reduced falls by 23% in active older adults. This program also improved physical performance, offering a new approach to fall prevention in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Preventive Medicine
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Falls are a significant concern for physically active older adults.
- Existing interventions often focus on frail individuals, neglecting active populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of psychomotor and fitness interventions in preventing falls among active, community-dwelling older adults.
- To evaluate the impact of these interventions on physical performance measures.
Main Methods:
- 217 active older adults (70-90 years) were randomized into psychomotor, fitness, or control groups.
- Interventions focused on coordination/body awareness (psychomotor) or functional skills/strength (fitness).
- Outcomes included prospective falls and physical performance tests (Timed Up and Go, gait speed, etc.).
Main Results:
- Both interventions improved physical performance (Timed Up and Go, sit-to-stand times) at 4 months.
- Over 12 months, 39% experienced at least one fall, and 19% had multiple falls.
- The fitness group showed a 23% reduction in fallers compared to the control group; the psychomotor group did not.
Conclusions:
- A fitness training program enhances physical performance and reduces fall incidence by 23% in active older adults.
- Fitness interventions are effective for fall prevention in physically active older populations.
