The development of a fall risk assessment and exercise intervention programme for geriatric subjects

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Falling is a common occurrence and one of the most serious problems in the elderly population(65 years and older). Falls account for 70% of accidental deaths in persons aged 75 years andolder. Falls can be markers/indicators of poor health and declining function, and are oftenassociated with significant morbidity. More than 90% of hip fractures occur as a result of falls,with most of these fractures occurring in persons over 70 years of age (Fuller, 2000). About onethird of people aged 65 years and older fall each year, resulting in a substantial decrease inquality of life in addition to placing a huge burden on current health care systems.The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 12-week exercise intervention programme,consisting of two 30 minute exercise sessions a week, could lower the risk of falling in a groupof elderly women.Female subjects (n=22) with an average age of 79.5 years were selected from three retirementhomes situated in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, according to specific inclusion andexclusion criteria. The subjects included presented no major cardiovascular and pulmonarydisease signs and symptoms as recognised by the American College of Sports Medicine (2011);had no serious illnesses or co-morbidities; were mobile with no significant musculoskeletaldisorders; had no uncorrected visual or vestibular problems as well as no significant cognitiveimpairments or major psychological disturbances; were not taking any psychotropic medicationsor Benzodiazepines that could affect their progress. Subjects also had to be willing to follow the12-week exercise intervention programme and sign an informed consent document. The selectedsubjects then underwent a pre- and post-intervention assessment consisting of a subjective ratingof their fear of falling, the Fall Risk Assessment: Biodex Balance system, Balance EvaluationsSystems Test (BESTest) and the 30-Second Chair Stand Test. Statistica 10 was used to analysethe data. Data was analysed to assess any significant improvements that the exercise interventionhad on each fall risk variable tested. The main fall risk variables consisted of: fear of falling,muscular strength, balance, gait and getting up strategies.Statistically significant improvements (p<0.001) were seen in: Fear of falling, muscular strength,balance, gait and getting up strategies after the 12-week exercise intervention programme.This study suggests that exercise intervention has the potential to decrease the risk of fallingamong elderly women and should play an extremely important role in the prevention of fallingamongst this population group.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University