Preventing falls in physically active community-dwelling older people: a comparison of two intervention techniques
Freiberger E, Menz HB, Abu-Omar K, Rütten A (2007)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2007
Journal
Publisher: Karger
Book Volume: 53
Pages Range: 298-305
DOI: 10.1159/000103256
Abstract
Background: Falls are common in physically active older people; however, most intervention studies have been targeted at frail older people. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of two intervention techniques for preventing falls in physically active community-dwelling older people. Methods: Two hundred and seventeen people (120 men and 97 women) aged between 70 and 90 years recruited from a health insurance company membership database were randomly allocated to receive either a psychomotor intervention focusing on body awareness, body experience and coordination, a fitness intervention focusing on functional skills, strength, endurance and flexibility, or no intervention (control group).The outcome measures wereprospective falls (number of fallers, number of multiple fallers, number of falls and falls rate) and measures of physical performance (Timed Up and Go Test, maximal step length, sit-to-stand time, normal and fast walking speed). Results: At the 4-month follow-up, significant improvements in the Timed Up and Go Test and sit-to-stand times were observed for both the psychomotor and fitness intervention groups. During the 12-month follow-up period, 39% of the participants fell at least once, and 19% fell on multiple occasions. The proportion of fallers in the fitness intervention group was 23% less than in the control group (RR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.60-0.97), but no significant reduction in falls was observed in the psychomotor intervention group. Conclusion: A fitness training program improves some aspects of physical performance and reduces falls by 23% in physically active older people. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG.
Authors with CRIS profile
Ellen Freiberger
Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit
Karim Abu-Omar
Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit der Ausrichtung Gesundheitsförderung/Public Health/Sozialwissenschaften des Sports
Alfred Rütten
Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit der Ausrichtung Gesundheitsförderung/Public Health/Sozialwissenschaften des Sports
Involved external institutions
Australia (AU)How to cite
APA:
Freiberger, E., Menz, H.B., Abu-Omar, K., & Rütten, A. (2007). Preventing falls in physically active community-dwelling older people: a comparison of two intervention techniques. Gerontology, 53, 298-305. https://doi.org/10.1159/000103256
MLA:
Freiberger, Ellen, et al. "Preventing falls in physically active community-dwelling older people: a comparison of two intervention techniques." Gerontology 53 (2007): 298-305.
BibTeX: Download