TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2012//
TI  - Fall risk and fitness among older adults enrolled in balance and strength training classes
JO  - Injury prevention
A1  - Goss, C.
A1  - Thoreson, S.
A1  - Harrod, C.
A1  - Clark, L.
A1  - DiGuiseppi, Carolyn G.
SP  - A121
EP  - A122
VL  - 18
IS  - Suppl 1
N2  - Background The fall risk profile of older adults who participate in community balance/strength classes for fall prevention is not well described.    Aims/Objectives/Purpose We examined fall risk and fitness in older adults taking N'Balance™, an 8-week community-based balance/strength programme.    Methods All 241 first-time participants aged 60+ in 34 consecutive N'Balance programmes held in the study community completed surveys, and staff-administered 30-second chair stand and 8-foot up-and-go tests, during the first and last class. 89% consented to release results to investigators. We calculated fall risk and fitness estimates with Wald 95% CIs. We analysed before-after changes using paired-t or Wilcoxon signed-rank test.    Results/Outcomes Mean participant age was 75.7 years; 82.1% were female, 96.7% had secondary or higher education, and 26.1% (95% CI 20.5% to 32.7%) had BMI≥30. Half (48.1%; 41.3%, 54.9%) had fallen at least once in the past year. Overall, 79.9% (73.9%, 84.8%) had at least one important fall risk (age≥75, fairly-to-very concerned about falling, frequent 'near falls', or fall history). At post-test (83% response), frequency of 'near' falls decreased significantly (Z=−6.816, p<0.001); fear of falling (Short Fall Efficacy Scale-International) declined by 0.8 points (p<0.001), 30-second chair stand improved by 1.7 stands (p<0.001), and 8-foot up-and-go improved by 1.1 s (p<0.001).    Significance/Contribution to the Field Most older adults in community balance/strength classes are at high risk of falls, indicating that such classes are successfully reaching those in need of fall prevention. The N'Balance programme decreased self-reported 'near' falls and fear of falling, and improved fitness; controlled evaluation of its effect on falls is needed.     This is an abstract of a presentation at Safety 2012, the 11th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 1-4 October 2012, Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand. Full text does not seem to be available for this abstract. <p />
LA  - en
SN  - 1353-8047
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590e.10
ID  - ref1
ER  -