A Review of Exercise Interventions for Fall Prevention in the Elderly

Gu MO, Jeon MY, Kim HJ, Eun Y.  /  Department of Nursing, Gyeong Sang National University: Gerontological Health Research Center, Gyeongsang Institute of Health Science. mogu@nongae.gsnu.ac.kr
Department of Nursing, Kuekdong College.
Department of Nursing, Chong Ju National College of Science and Technology.

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was done to suggest directions for developing exercise interventions for fall prevention in the elderly in Korea in the future.

METHOD: Twenty five articles for fall prevention exercises were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULT: 84.0% of subjects were older adults age 65 and older living in the community. The most frequently performed interventions were lower limb strength and balance exercises together 43.3%, group exercise 70.0%, exercise 3 times/week 60.0%, 60 min per session 36.7%, duration of 12 weeks and 1 year 23.3% each. The most frequently used outcome variables were static balance 84.0%, lower limb muscle strength 72.0%, dynamic balance 56.0 %, and falls 56.0 %. The effect of exercise interventions on fall prevention was inconclusive. Lower limb strength exercises with resistance were effective for increasing muscle strength. Balance exercises with various movements for balance were effective for increasing balance.

CONCLUSION: Exercise interventions for fall prevention is recommended for older adults with risk factors of falling. The desirable type of exercise intervention is lower limb strength and balance exercise together.

Quelle:   http://www.koreamed.org/SearchBasic.php?RID=1006JKAN/2005.35.6.1101&DT=1



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Intervention for the prevention of falls in elderly japanese women

von:Takao Suzuki, Hunkyung Kim, Hideyo Yoshida und Tatsuro Ishizaki

Link: http://www.springerlink.com/content/a2j9cwtn7a5vb3cb/

 Zusammenfassung

Falls are common in elderly people. Possible consequences include serious injuries and the post-fall syndrome, with functional decline and limitation of physical activity. The present randomized controlled study sought to clarify the benefits of a combined long-term and home-based fall prevention program for elderly Japanese women. 

 

The subjects were individuals aged over 73 years, living at home in a western suburb of Tokyo, who had attended a comprehensive geriatric health check. Persons with a marked decline in the basic activities of daily living (ADL), hemiplegia, or those missing baseline data were excluded. Fifty-two subjects who expressed a wish to participate in the trial were randomized, 28 to an exercise-intervention group and 24 to a control group. Baseline data for age, handgrip force, walking speed, total serum cholesterol, serum albumin, basic ADL, visual and auditory impairments, self-rated health, and experience of falls did not differ significantly between the two groups. Beginning from June 2000, the intervention group attended a 6-month program of fall-prevention exercise classes aimed at improving leg strength, balance, and walking ability; this was supplemented by a home-based exercise program that focused on leg strength. The control group received only a pamphlet and advice on fall prevention.

 

The average rate of attendance at exercise class was 75.3% (range, 64% to 86%). Participants showed significant improvements in tandem walk and functional reach after the intervention program, with enhanced self confidence. At the 8-month follow-up, the proportion of women with falls was 13.6% (3/22) in the intervention group and 40.9% (9/22) in the control group. At 20 months, the proportion remained unchanged, at 13.6% in the intervention group, but had increased to 54.5% (12/22) in the control group, which showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (Fishers exact test; P = 0.0097). 

 

The total number of falls during the 20-month follow-up period was 6 in the intervention group and 17 in the control group. 

 

We conclude that a moderate exercise intervention program plus a home-based program significantly decreases the incidence of falls in both the short and the long term, contributing to improved health and quality of life in the elderly.

Quelle:  http://www.springerlink.com/content/a2j9cwtn7a5vb3cb/



Sturzprävention für Kleingruppen und Privatpersonen in Baden-Württemberg und nach Vereinbarung

JÖRG LINDER AKTIV-TRAINING

Mauerbergstraße 110

76534 Baden-Baden

Tel.: 07223 / 8004699

Mobil: 0177 / 4977232

Mail: info@aktiv-training.de

Fax: 07223 / 8005271 

web: www.aktiv-training.de

Sturzprävention: www.sturztraining.de
Prävention:  www.preventex.de
Mobility-Walking:  http://mobility-walking.blogspot.com