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Effects of Muscle Strength, Agility, and Fear of Falling on Risk of Falling in Older Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Filipe Rodrigues

    (ESECS—Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
    Life Quality Research Center, 2040-413 Leiria, Portugal)

  • António M. Monteiro

    (Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Polytechnic of Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
    Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health, and Human Development, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Pedro Forte

    (Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Polytechnic of Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
    Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health, and Human Development, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    ISCE Douro, 4560-708 Penafiel, Portugal)

  • Pedro Morouço

    (ESECS—Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
    Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (CiTechcare), 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal)

Abstract

Falls are a major public health problem among older adults because they lead to premature mortality, loss of autonomy, and increased dependence on others. However, these associations have not been explored using procedures that analyze the sequential effects between risk factors of falling. The present study aimed to examine the effects of muscle strength, agility, and fear of falling on risk of falling using path analysis in community-dwelling older adults. In total, 49 elderly (female = 33, male = 16) participants aged between 65 and 76 years (M = 68.38 years; SD = 6.22) were included for analysis. Muscle strength, agility, fear of falling, and risk of falling were assessed using validated instruments for the older adult population. The proposed model shows that muscle strength was negatively associated with agility. Consequently, agility was negatively associated with fear of falling. The same trend appeared between fear of falling and risk of falling. The effect sizes were between small and medium for agility ( R 2 = 0.16), fear of falling, ( R 2 = 0.29), and risk of falling ( R 2 = 0.03). The main finding of the present study was that muscle strength was significantly correlated with agility, which, in turn, predicted fear of falling. Consequently, lower scores for fear of falling explained lower risk of falling in community-dwelling older adults. While muscle strength is a crucial component of physical fitness, only with adequate levels of agility can older adults possess the efficacy and ability to perform daily tasks.

Suggested Citation

  • Filipe Rodrigues & António M. Monteiro & Pedro Forte & Pedro Morouço, 2023. "Effects of Muscle Strength, Agility, and Fear of Falling on Risk of Falling in Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-8, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:4945-:d:1094283
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Filipe Rodrigues & Christophe Domingos & Diogo Monteiro & Pedro Morouço, 2022. "A Review on Aging, Sarcopenia, Falls, and Resistance Training in Community-Dwelling Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Van-Anh Thi Ha & Tam Ngoc Nguyen & Thanh Xuan Nguyen & Huong Thi Thu Nguyen & Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen & Anh Trung Nguyen & Thang Pham & Huyen Thi Thanh Vu, 2021. "Prevalence and Factors Associated with Falls among Older Outpatients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.
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