Examining the Role of Physical Function on Future Fall Likelihood in Older Adults With a Fear of Falling, With and Without Activity Restriction

Autor: Alexander J. Garbin, Beth E. Fisher
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Aging and Health. :089826432311703
ISSN: 1552-6887
0898-2643
DOI: 10.1177/08982643231170308
Popis: Objectives Assess the influence of physical function on balance and future falls in older adults with fear of falling (FOF) and whether activity restriction modifies the contribution to falls. Methods: Analyses utilized data from Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging ( n = 680) and National Health and Aging Trends Study ( n = 4376) community-dwelling older adults. The role of physical function was examined by comparing balance performance and future fall odds before/after controlling for function in older adults with/without FOF. Fall likelihood analyses were repeated with FOF stratified by activity restriction. Results: When controlling for physical function, differences in balance and fall odds secondary to FOF/activity restricting FOF reduced but remained significant. Fall odds secondary to non-activity restricting FOF only slightly decreased. Discussion: Physical function contributes to balance and falls in older adults with FOF, more so in those restricting activity. Reduced balance and increased fall risk persists independent of function suggesting additional contributing factors.
Databáze: OpenAIRE