Citation

Ylitalo KR, Karvonen-Gutierrez CA, Sternfeld B, Pettee Gabriel K. J. Aging Health 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0898264320988405

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity (PA) may slow aging-related declines in physical functioning (PF), but the relationship of PA and falls is not well understood. This study examined the association of PA and PF with falls.

METHODS: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation participants (n = 1597; age: 65.1 years ± 2.7) reported PF and PA in 2012-2013 and falls in 2016-2017. Four phenotypes were identified: high PA-high PF, high PA-low PF, low PA-high PF, and low PA-low PF.

RESULTS: One-third (29.3%) reported ≥1 fall. Women with low PA-low PF (RR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.66) and with high PA-low PF (RR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.74) were more likely to fall than high PA-high PF. Over time, women with worsening PF had increased fall risk (RR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.74), but women who increased PA did not.

DISCUSSION: Poor PF increases the risk of falls, regardless of PA. However, increasing PA does not necessarily increase fall risk, reinforcing the importance of PA engagement.

Language: en

Keywords

falls; physical activity; physical functioning