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

Author

Listed:
  • Chen-Yi Song

    (Department of Long-Term Care, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei 112, Taiwan)

  • Jau-Yih Tsauo

    (School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan)

  • Pei-Hsin Fang

    (Physical Education Center, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan 710, Taiwan)

  • I-Yao Fang

    (Physical Education Center, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan 710, Taiwan)

  • Shao-Hsi Chang

    (Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106, Taiwan)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen-Yi Song & Jau-Yih Tsauo & Pei-Hsin Fang & I-Yao Fang & Shao-Hsi Chang, 2021. "Physical Fitness among Community-Dwelling Older Women with and without Risk of Falling—The Taipei Study, Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-8, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7243-:d:589546
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Begoña Pellicer-García & Isabel Antón-Solanas & Enrique Ramón-Arbués & Loreto García-Moyano & Vicente Gea-Caballero & Raúl Juárez-Vela, 2020. "Risk of Falling and Associated Factors in Older Adults with a Previous History of Falls," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-7, June.
    2. Meiling Chen & Qingfeng Tang & Shoujiang Xu & Pengfei Leng & Zhigeng Pan, 2020. "Design and Evaluation of an Augmented Reality-Based Exergame System to Reduce Fall Risk in the Elderly," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-10, October.
    3. Magdalena Sylwia Kamińska & Jacek Brodowski & Beata Karakiewicz, 2015. "Fall Risk Factors in Community-Dwelling Elderly Depending on Their Physical Function, Cognitive Status and Symptoms of Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-11, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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