Article ID: 11804
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and falls in community-dwelling older adults stratified by balance function.
Methods: Subjects were independent community-dwelling older adults (n = 602) aged over 65 years, stratified by balance function at baseline. Daily time spent in MVPA, locomotive activity, and non-locomotive activity were measured using a tri-axial accelerometer. Self-reported incidence of falls at a 2-year follow-up survey was measured as the outcome.
Results: The risk of falls in the middle MVPA group was lowest among participants with high balance function. The risk of falls in the middle and high MVPA groups was significantly higher than that in the low MVPA group among participants with low balance function. Additionally, among low balance function participants, the risk of falls in the high locomotive activity group was significantly higher than that in the low locomotive activity group.
Conclusion: The association between MVPA and falls exhibited differences among independent community-dwelling older adults with different levels of balance function.
