Citation

Little RM, Paterson DH, Humphreys DA, Stathokostas L. BMJ Open 2013; 3(6): 2013-002831.

Affiliation

Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, University of Western Ontario London, London, Ontario, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002831

PMID

23794576

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Fear of injury is reported as a barrier to exercise by older adults. However, the literature is limited in describing exercise injuries in older adults. DESIGN: This study prospectively evaluated the 12-month incidence of exercise-related injuries to community-dwelling older adults (n=167 respondents; 63 men, 104 women; mean age 69±5 year). METHODS: A questionnaire developed for use in older adults was administered to document self-reported injuries. Linear regression analysis was conducted to identify covariates related to injury outcomes. RESULTS: 23 people (14%) reported injuries. 41% of injuries were to the lower extremities, where the most common type was overuse muscle strains (32%, n=7). Overexertion was the most common cause of injury (n=9) and walking accounted for half of the activities during which injury occurred. 70% of injuries required medical treatment. 44% were not able to continue exercising after injury and return-to-activity time varied from 1 to 182 days. Sex, age and exercise volume were not significantly associated with injury occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed similar, or lower, exercise-related injury rates as compared with previous reports on younger and middle-aged adults; however, the definition of, and criteria for, 'injury' reporting varies in the literature. This study indicates that older adults taking up exercise are not at increased risk of injury versus younger age groups.

Language: en