Physical Ability Estimation and Falling in the Elderly

抄録

In this report we examined the factors regarding falling related to physical strength awareness in the elderly using the functional reach test. The objective was to construct a tool of high accuracy for estimating falling. We used 88 healthy elderly people who could continue the trial and had no impediments in daily life. After estimating values in the functional reach test actual measurements were conducted. Errors in individual physical strength awareness were differences between predicted and measured values. Three months later, subjects were surveyed as to whether a fall had taken place and were examined on physical strength awareness in falling. From multiple logistic regression analysis, the usual functional reach test result (p<0.05) and physical strength awareness error (p<0.01) were both chosen as influences and factors in falling within the 3-month period. The recurrence adoption when the two factors were included was the best. Furthermore, discriminant characteristic analysis indicated the possibility of distinguishing falls concerning errors in physical strength awareness which were 8.5 cm for the over-estimate group (discriminant rate 84.4% sensitivity 88.4%) and 9.5 cm for the under-estimate group (discriminant rate 95.7% · sensitivity 95.7%). It is thought that this test is useful information for physical strength awareness to predict falling.