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Participation in Older Adult Physical Activity Programs and Risk for Falls Requiring Medical Care, Washington State, 2005–2011
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Jun 11 2015
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Source: Prev Chronic Dis. 12.
[PDF-341.19 KB]
Details:
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Journal Article:Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD)
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Personal Author:
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Description:Introduction
Physical activity is known to prevent falls; however, use of widely available exercise programs for older adults, including Enhance Fitness and Silver Sneakers, has not been examined in relation to effects on falls among program participants. We aimed to determine whether participation in Enhance Fitness or Silver Sneakers is associated with a reduced risk of falls resulting in medical care.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study examined a demographically representative sample from a Washington State integrated health system. Health plan members aged 65 or older, including 2,095 Enhance Fitness users, 13,576 Silver Sneakers users, and 55,127 nonusers from 2005 through 2011, were classified as consistent users (used a program ≥2 times in all years they were enrolled in the health plan during the study period); intermittent users (used a program ≥2 times in 1 or more years enrolled but not all years), or nonusers of Enhance Fitness or Silver Sneakers. The main outcome was measured as time-to-first-fall requiring inpatient or out-of-hospital medical treatment based on the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification, Sixth Edition and E-codes.
Results
In fully adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, consistent (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–0.88) and intermittent (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.8–0.94) Enhance Fitness participation were both associated with a reduced risk of falls resulting in medical care. Intermittent Silver Sneakers participation showed a reduced risk (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.90–0.97).
Conclusion
Participation in widely available community-based exercise programs geared toward older adults (but not specific to fall prevention) reduced the risk of medical falls. Structured programs that include balance and strength exercise, as Enhance Fitness does, may be effective in reducing fall risk.
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ISSN:1545-1151
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Pubmed ID:26068411
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC4467255
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Volume:12
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