Predictive factors for falls and protective effect of group exercise in older adults: a prospective evaluation

Predictive factors for falls and protective effect of group exercise in older adults: a prospective evaluation

Authors

  • Maria de Cassia Gomes Souza Macedo Universidade Federal de Juiz de fora https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7639-5219
  • Kariny Realino Ferreira Universidade Federal de Juiz de fora
  • Ana Clara de Oliveira Leal Universidade Federal de Juiz de fora
  • Denys Batista Campos Universidade Federal de Juiz de fora
  • Wrgelles Bordone Pires Universidade Federal de Juiz de fora
  • Pedro Henrique Berbert Carvalho Universidade Federal de Juiz de fora
  • Gabriela Lopes Gama Universidade Federal de Juiz de fora
  • Michelle Almeida Barbosa Universidade Federal de Juiz de fora
  • Alexandre Carvalho Barbosa Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri - UFVJM

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5016/s1980-6574e10248940

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the predictive value of well-known risk factors for falling in older adults by prospectively evaluating the occurrence of fall episodes on those who joined a group-oriented exercising routine compared to older people without the exercise routine. The balance parameters of 75 older adults was assessed using a force platform along with the history of previous falls, and the presence of diabetes. A subsample (n = 58) performed a group exercising routine 2 to 3 times per week for 1 year. They were followed-up concerning the occurrence of falls episodes. The binary logistic regression analysis retrieved a model including the presence of diabetes (OR = 8.78), previous history of falls (OR = 4.90) and the ML excursion (OR = 0.43) as predictive factors of prospective falls accurately (Sn = 0.948). The exercising routine was protective against future episodes of falls (OR = 4.84). The regression model was able to accurately predict those older adults under the risk of prospective falls. Group exercising was able to protect older people from future falls.

Author Biography

Alexandre Carvalho Barbosa, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri - UFVJM

Possui graduação em Fisioterapia - Faculdades Integradas de Patrocínio (1999), mestrado em Biologia Celular e Estrutural pela Universidade Estadual de Campinas (2006) e doutorado em Ciências Biomédicas pelo Instituto Universitário Italiano de Rosário (2012). Atualmente é professor assistente do Departamento de Fisioterapia, professor e orientador do Mestrado Profissional em Ensino em Saúde da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri. Tem experiência na área de Fisioterapia, com ênfase nos seguintes temas: fisioterapia aplicada à ortopedia, terapia manual, eletromiografia e biofotogrametria.

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Published

2026-03-10

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 1 (2025): Continuous Publishing

Section

Original Articles

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