title: Role of physical activity in the occurrence of falls and fall-related injuries in community-dwelling adults over 50 years old.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effect of the type, level and amount of physical activity in falls and fall-related injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 506 community-dwelling adults aged >50 years (390 women: 67.7 ± 6.8 years and 116 men: 69.6 ± 6.6 years). Falls, fall-related injuries (slight and severe), and physical activity (type, level and energy expenditure) were evaluated by questionnaires. Confounders included co-morbidities, fear of falling, environmental hazards and physical fitness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for confounders, logistic analysis revealed that the likelihood of falling decreased by 2% for each 100 metabolic expenditure (MET-min/week) of total physical activity and increased by 5% for each 100 MET-min/week of vigorous-intensity physical activity; total physical activity >1125 MET-min/week and vigorous physical activity <500 MET-min/week were identified as cut-off values discriminating non-fallers from fallers. Compared to the low physical activity level, increased physical activity levels diminished the likelihood of the occurrence of severe fall-related injuries by 76% (moderate) and 58% (high; p < 0.05) in fallers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Being active, especially sufficiently active, reduces fall-related injuries by decreasing falls and by safeguarding against severe injuries when falls occur. At least 1125 MET-min/week of total physical activity including >500 MET-min/week of vigorous intensity seems to prevent falls and, therefore, fall-related injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports and Health, University of Évora , Évora , Portugal .
authors.forename: Catarina L N
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Infante
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology