Fear of falling and self-perception of health in older participants and non-participants of physical activity programs.

Fear of falling and self-perception of health in older participants and non-participants of physical activity programs.

Authors

  • Carolina Kruleske da Silva Universidade Estadual de Londrina / Universidade Norte do Paraná, Londrina, PR
  • Celita Salmaso Trelha Physical Therapy Department, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR
  • Rubens Alexandre da Silva Junior Centre of Biological and Health Sciences, Universidade Norte do Paraná (UNOPAR), Londrina, PR

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5016/6948

Keywords:

Health and aging. Physical activity. Fear of falling.

Abstract

Fear of falling, self-perception of health, and participation in physical activity programs have been associated with several variables related to health and performance in older adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate self-perception of health and fear of falling in older adult participants and non-participants of physical activity programs, and to verify the relationship between these variables. A total of 40 healthy but sedentary older adults, and 45 physically active older adults were assessed through the Falls Efficacy Scale International-Brazil (FES-I) and a questionnaire that measured their self-perception of health. The older adults that did not participate in regular physical activity programs presented higher scores of fear of falling, which, in turn, is associated with an increase of risk for falls. Moreover, older adults, participants in regular physical activity programs exhibited a more positive health perception than did the non-participants. Also, non-participants of physical activity programs perceived their health status as being poor or very poor as well as expressing great concern about falling compared to those who considered their health as excellent, good or regular. The results of this study have important implications for making clinical decisions in prevention or rehabilitation of older people, and they justify recommendations to the public health system.

Author Biographies

Carolina Kruleske da Silva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina / Universidade Norte do Paraná, Londrina, PR

Master Program in Rehabilitation Sciences UEL-UNOPAR - Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL). Physical Therapy Departament - Universidade Norte do Paraná (UNOPAR). Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Celita Salmaso Trelha, Physical Therapy Department, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR

graduate at Fisioterapia from Universidade Estadual de Londrina (1988), master's at Public Health from Universidade Estadual de Londrina (2002) and ph.d. at Pós Graduação Em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde from Universidade Estadual de Londrina (2008). Has experience in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, focusing on Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, acting on the following subjects: fisioterapia, educação, idoso, saúde ocupacional and trauma da mão.

Rubens Alexandre da Silva Junior, Centre of Biological and Health Sciences, Universidade Norte do Paraná (UNOPAR), Londrina, PR

graduate at fisioterapia from Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná (2000), master's at Ciências biomédicas (opção reabilitação) from Universite de Montreal (2003) and ph.d. at Ciências biomédicas (opção reabilitação) from Universite de Montreal (2008). Has experience in Physiology, focusing on Physiology, acting on the following subjects: low back pain, muscle fatigue, sorensen test, dynamometer and electromyography.

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Published

2013-11-25

Issue

V. 19, N. 4 (2013)

Section

Original Articles

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