Which types of activities are associated with risk of recurrent falling in older persons?
BACKGROUND
This study explored the associations between various types of activities, their underlying physical components, and recurrent falling in community-dwelling older persons.


METHODS
This study included 1,329 community-dwelling persons (>or=65 years) of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). The time spent in walking, cycling, light and heavy household activities, and two sports was measured using the LASA Physical Activity Questionnaire (LAPAQ). Physical activity components included strength, intensity, mechanical strain, and turning. Time to second fall in a 6-month period was measured during 3 years with fall calendars. Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for confounders and stratified for physical performance and sex in case of significant (p < .10) interaction.


RESULTS
During 3 years, 325 (24.5%) persons became recurrent fallers. In women, doing light (hazard ratios [HRs] = 0.40, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] = 0.20-0.79) or heavy household activities (HR = 0.63, CI = 0.44-0.79) was associated with a decreased risk of recurrent falling. In persons with good physical performance, doing sports (HR = 1.56, CI = 1.07-2.28), high intensity (HR > 1.75, CI = 1.09-3.16), and high mechanical strain (HR = 1.70, CI = 1.01-2.83) activities was associated with an increased risk of recurrent falling.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the relationship between physical activity and recurrent falling differs per type of activity and is modified by physical performance. Doing household activities was associated with a decreased risk of recurrent falling in women. In physically fit older persons, doing sports or activities with high intensity or mechanical strain demands was associated with an increased risk of recurrent falling.
Department of Internal Medicine, Section Endocrinology, VU University Medical Center, Postbus 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
G M E E Geeske
GM
Peeters
Lisanne M
LM
Verweij
Natasja M
NM
van Schoor
Mirjam
M
Pijnappels
Saskia M F
SM
Pluijm
Marjolein
M
Visser
Paul
P
Lips
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009426:Netherlands; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors