title: The Relationship Between Subjective Falls-Risk Assessment Tools and Functional, Health-Related, and Body Composition Characteristics.
abstract: We sought to explore the relationship between two subjective falls-risk assessment tools (Falls Efficacy Scale-International [FES-I] and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence [ABC] Scale) and functional, health-related, and body composition characteristics. A total of 245 community-dwelling people aged 60 to 88 years underwent assessments for subjective falls risk (using the FES-I and ABC Scale), health-related (cognitive; Short-Form Health Survey [SF-12]), functional (physical activity and physical function), and body composition characteristics (measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry). The FES-I and ABC Scale are strongly correlated with each other for females and males ( r = -.70, p < .001; r = -.65, p < .001), respectively. There are substantial differences between males and females when they self-assess their risk of falling as well as what characteristics contribute to explaining these self-assessments. Females are potentially more self-aware of their functional, body composition and health-related characteristics to better estimate their own risk of falling. FES-I correlates better with functional, body composition, and health-related characteristics, and thus may be more appropriate for use than the ABC in community-dwelling older adults.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Disa J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Smee
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Helen L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Judith M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Anson
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Canberra, Australia.|2 University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE).
authors.forename: Gordon S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Waddington
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D001823:Body Composition; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: body composition; falls risk; older adults