Body composition, balance, functional capacity and falls in older women.

Yki Nordling, Reijo Sund, Joonas Sirola, Heikki Kröger, Masoud Isanejad, Toni Rikkonen

Journal: Aging clinical and experimental research 2024;36(1):76

PMID: 38512411

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Plain Language Summary

Falls among older women are a significant health concern, often leading to injuries and reduced quality of life. Loss of muscle strength and functional capacity are among significant physiological changes among the older population. The aim of this study was to investigate how different factors such as body composition, balance, and functional capacity contribute to the incidence of falls and the severity of fall-related injuries in older women. This study was a 2-year randomised controlled trial involving 914 women, with an average age of 76.5 years. Results showed that 59.7% of participants experienced a fall during the follow-up period. Higher femoral neck bone mineral density was linked to a higher overall risk of falls but was protective against severe fall injuries. Conversely, slower Timed Up and Go (TUG) test results indicated an increased risk of falls and injuries requiring medical attention. Authors concluded that while certain physical attributes may predispose older women to more frequent falls, they also provide some protection against severe injuries. In fact, it highlights the importance of tailored interventions that consider individual functional capacities to prevent falls and related injuries.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to examine the association of body composition, muscle strength, balance, and functional capacity on falls and fall injuries among community-dwelling older women.

METHODS

The study comprised of a 2-year randomized controlled trial involving 914 women with an average age of 76.5 (SD = 3.3) years at baseline. The women were assigned to exercise intervention (n = 457) and control groups (n = 457). Clinical measurements were conducted at baseline, 12 months and 24 months.

RESULTS

During the 2-year follow up, total of 546 women (59.7%) sustained a fall. The total number of falls was 1380 and out of these, 550 (40%) of falls were non-injurious and 745 (54%) were injurious. Higher femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) was associated with a higher overall risk of falls [RR = 2.55 (95% CI = 1.70-3.84, p < 0.001)], but was a protective factor for severe fall injuries [RR = 0.03 (95% CI = 0.003-0.035, p < 0.01)]. Slower Timed Up and Go (TUG) was associated with an increased overall risk of falls [RR = 1.07 (95% CI = 1.05-1.10, p < 0.001)] and injuries requiring medical attention [RR = 1.10 (95% CI = 1.02-1.19, p = 0.02)]. Longer single leg standing time was a protective factor for falls [RR = 0.99 (95% CI = 0.99-1.00, p < 0.01)] and overall injurious falls [RR = 0.99 (95% CI = 0.99-1.00, p = 0.02)].

CONCLUSION

For postmenopausal women with higher femoral neck BMD appear to sustain more falls, but have a lower risk of severe fall injuries. Better TUG and single leg standing time predict lower risk of falls and fall injuries.

Address: Kuopio Musculoskeletal Research Unit, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. [email protected].; Kuopio Musculoskeletal Research Unit, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.; Department of Orthopedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.; Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Sciences, University of Liverpool, 6 W Derby St, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.

DOI: 10.1007/s40520-024-02719-5