Incident Fall Risk and Physical Activity and Physical Performance among Older Men: The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study

TLDR

Physical activity and physical performance are linked to fall risk in older adults. The study examined how physical activity and performance relate to incident falls and which activity types are linked to falling among older men. Using a prospective cohort of 5,995 men aged 65+ in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study, falls were recorded via up to 17 triannual questionnaires and analyzed with generalized estimating equations over an average 4.5‑year follow‑up. Men in the most active quartile had a 18% higher fall risk, whereas higher leg power and grip strength reduced risk by 18% and 24%, respectively, and household activities increased risk by 17%, while leisure activities showed no association; the overall 4‑month fall risk was 6.6%.

Abstract

Physical activity and physical performance have been linked to fall risk in the elderly. The authors examined the relation between physical activity and physical performance with incident falls in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study, a large prospective cohort study of 5,995 community-dwelling men in the United States at least 65 years of age. The authors also examined what types of activities are associated with falling. Incident falls between 2000 and 2005 were captured from up to 17 triannual follow-up questionnaires per participant and analyzed with generalized estimating equations. Follow-up averaged 4.5 years. The average risk of falling in the first 4 months of follow-up was 6.6%. The most active quartile had a significantly greater fall risk than did the least active quartile (relative risk = 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07, 1.29). Men with greater leg power and grip strength had significantly reduced fall risk (for highest leg power quartile vs. lowest: relative risk = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.92; for highest grip strength quartile vs. lowest: relative risk = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.85). Partitioning components of activity showed no association between fall risk and leisure activities but a positive association with household activities (for highest quartile vs.lowest: relative risk = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.28).