title: Long-term participation in peer-led fall prevention classes predicts lower fall incidence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between length of participation in Steady As You Go (SAYGO) peer-led fall prevention exercise classes for older adults and 12-month fall incidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve-month prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Older adults (N=207; 189 women, 18 men) aged ≥ 65 y (mean age ± SD, 77.7 ± 6.6 y) actively participating in SAYGO classes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peer-led fall prevention exercise classes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve-month prospective fall incidence data were collected by monthly calendars. Falls in the previous year and number of years of SAYGO participation were obtained by baseline questionnaire. Class attendance was monitored weekly by class attendance records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean length ± SD of SAYGO participation was 4.3 ± 2.5 years (range, 1-10 y). Average class attendance was 69%. Crude fall rate was .75 per person-year. Fall incidences at 12 and 24 months were highly correlated (r=.897, P<.001). Longer SAYGO participation (≥ 3 y) resulted in a lower 12-month fall incidence (incidence rate ratio, .90; 95% confidence interval, .82-.99; P=.03) compared with a shorter duration of participation (1-2 y).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SAYGO appears to be an effective fall prevention intervention with a high attendance rate and a lower fall incidence with long-term participation. Prospective controlled studies on long-term participation in peer-led fall prevention exercise programs are needed to confirm and extend these findings.
authors: School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: Birgit
authors: B
authors: Wurzer
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: debra.waters@otago.ac.nz.
authors: Debra Lynn
authors: DL
authors: Waters
authors: School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: Leigh Anne
authors: LA
authors: Hale
authors: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: Sophia
authors: S
authors: Leon de la Barra
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010379:Peer Group; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Accidental falls; Aged; Community health services; Exercise; Patient participation; Rehabilitation