Physical Activity, Injurious Falls, and Physical Function in Aging: An Umbrella Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health
• Exercise Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Falls are a major cause of injury in community-dwelling older adults.
• Physical activity is recognized as a key factor in maintaining health and function in aging populations.
• Previous reports, like the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee (PAGAC) Scientific Report, have highlighted the benefits of physical activity for older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and update the scientific evidence on the relationship between physical activity, fall-related injury risk, and physical function in community-dwelling older adults.
• To build upon the findings presented in the 2018 PAGAC Scientific Report.

Main Methods:

• Conducted duplicate independent screenings of 1415 systematic reviews and meta-analyses (2006-2016) and identified 111 articles for the PAGAC Report.
• Performed an updated literature search of 368 articles (January 2017-March 2018) to identify additional pertinent studies.
• Graded the strength of scientific evidence using a five-criteria rubric (strong, moderate, limited, not assignable) by the PAGAC Aging Subcommittee.

Main Results:

• Strong evidence shows physical activity reduces fall-related injury risk by 32% to 40%, including severe injuries.
• Physical activity demonstrates strong evidence for improving physical function and mitigating age-related loss of function in a dose-response manner.
• Aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and multicomponent programs yield significant improvements in physical function, particularly in populations with frailty and Parkinson's disease.
• Moderate evidence supports that extended exercise and mobility-focused activities improve physical function in older adults post-hip fracture or stroke.

Conclusions:

• Regular physical activity is crucial for older adults to enhance or delay physical function and mobility loss.
• Physical activity effectively reduces the risk of fall-related injuries in the aging population.
• These benefits highlight the critical role of physical activity for older adults, especially those with declining function or chronic conditions.