Body Composition, Balance, Functional Capacity and Falls in Older Women

Overview

Journal Aging Clin Exp Res

Publisher Springer

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2024 Mar 21

PMID 38512411

Authors

Yki Nordling

Reijo Sund

Joonas Sirola

Heikki Kroger

Masoud Isanejad

Toni Rikkonen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the association of body composition, muscle strength, balance, and functional capacity on falls and fall injuries among community-dwelling older women.

Methods: The study comprised of a 2-year randomized controlled trial involving 914 women with an average age of 76.5 (SD = 3.3) years at baseline. The women were assigned to exercise intervention (n = 457) and control groups (n = 457). Clinical measurements were conducted at baseline, 12 months and 24 months.

Results: During the 2-year follow up, total of 546 women (59.7%) sustained a fall. The total number of falls was 1380 and out of these, 550 (40%) of falls were non-injurious and 745 (54%) were injurious. Higher femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) was associated with a higher overall risk of falls [RR = 2.55 (95% CI = 1.70-3.84, p < 0.001)], but was a protective factor for severe fall injuries [RR = 0.03 (95% CI = 0.003-0.035, p < 0.01)]. Slower Timed Up and Go (TUG) was associated with an increased overall risk of falls [RR = 1.07 (95% CI = 1.05-1.10, p < 0.001)] and injuries requiring medical attention [RR = 1.10 (95% CI = 1.02-1.19, p = 0.02)]. Longer single leg standing time was a protective factor for falls [RR = 0.99 (95% CI = 0.99-1.00, p < 0.01)] and overall injurious falls [RR = 0.99 (95% CI = 0.99-1.00, p = 0.02)].

Conclusion: For postmenopausal women with higher femoral neck BMD appear to sustain more falls, but have a lower risk of severe fall injuries. Better TUG and single leg standing time predict lower risk of falls and fall injuries.

Citing Articles

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PMID: 39943507 PMC: 11820793. DOI: 10.3390/s25030871.

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