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

Resumo

Aim: 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. Methods: The balance parameters of 75 older adults were 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. Results: 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). Conclusion: 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.