Physical Activity in the Elderly with Fall Experience Over the Past Year: Results from Amirkola Health and Ageing Project

Background and purpose: Nowadays, immobility is known to be the fourth risk factor for mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between fall experience over the previous year and levels of physical activity in the elderly. Materials and Methods: The study was performed with ۱۶۱۶ participants of ۶۰≤ years. The relationship between physical activities in the elderly with age, sex, educational level, body mass index, comorbidities, and fall experience over the previous year was evaluated. Physical activity in the elderly was evaluated using the physical activity scale for the elderly. Results: In the multiple regression model, the age (β: -۱.۶, ۹۵% CI:  -۲.۰- -۱.۱), sex, female (β: ۱۱.۰, ۹۵% CI: ۴.۳-۱۷.۶), and comorbidities (β: -۶.۸, ۹۵% CI: -۱۳.۵ - -۰.۱) had a significant relationship with the physical activity score. On the contrary, there was no significant difference between the score of physical activity and both groups with and without the experience of fall over the previous year (β: ۰.۰۹, ۹۵% CI: -۸.۰ - ۸.۲). Conclusion: Increasing age with comorbidity resulted in a decrease in the average physical activity score in the studied elderly population. However, the experience of fall had no relationship with it. Providing the conditions alongside the training required to carry out physical activities, especially in the elderly people with the disease, was suggested.

Keywords:

Physical Activity , Older Adult , Falling