A pilot study on fear and risk of fall: The impact of a 8-month multicomponent exercise program in community-dwelling aged adults

Authors

  • Filipe Rodrigues ESECS - Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; Life Quality Research Center, 2040-413 Leiria, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1327-8872
  • Miguel Jacinto ESECS - Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; Life Quality Research Center, 2040-413 Leiria, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1727-3537
  • Raul Antunes ESECS - Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; Life Quality Research Center, 2040-413 Leiria, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5485-9430
  • Pedro Morouço ESECS - Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (CiTechcare), 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5956-9790
  • António Miguel Monteiro Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Polytechnic of Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health, and Human Development, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4467-1722
  • Pedro Forte Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Polytechnic of Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health, and Human Development, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; ISCE Douro, 4560-708 Penafiel, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0184-6780
  • Diogo Monteiro ESECS - Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health, and Human Development, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7179-6814
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/cpd.567251
Keywords: fear, fall, older, exercise, quasi-experimental

Supporting Agencies

  • This research was funded by national funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., grant number UID/04748/2020 and grant number UID/04045/2020

Abstract

Sarcopenia, characterized by the age-related decline in muscle mass and strength, has been associated with an elevated risk of falls in older adults. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of an 8-month multicomponent exercise program in community-dwelling older adults. A comprehensive approach was employed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a thrice-weekly exercise intervention. Aged over 60 years, the capacity to stand and walk with or without assistive equipment, being physically inactive, having medical clearance, and living in the community were all eligibility criteria. The Timed-up and Go test and Berg Balance Scale were used to examine the risk of falling. The Fall-Efficacy Scale International was used to examine the fear of falling. The community-based exercise program involved thirty-five participants, the average age was 67.54 years (SD = 3.81) and 71% were female. Attendance rates ranged from 76% to 100% on average. There was a significant trend toward a clinically important improvement in the timed-up and go test (t = 4.66; p < 0.001; d = 0.20), berg balance scale (t = -11.20; p < 0.001; d = 1.47), and fall-efficacy scale international (t = 5.81; p < 0.001; d = 0.88). This study has provided preliminary evidence that an 8-month community-based low-cost exercise program may be effective in improving agility, and balance, and decreasing fear of falling in older people. The community-based exercise program has provided the necessary data to design future randomized-controlled trials that can be implemented in the community in an ecologically feasible manner.

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Published
16-09-2023
How to Cite
Rodrigues, F., Jacinto, M., Antunes, R., Morouço, P., Monteiro, A., Forte, P., & Monteiro, D. (2023). A pilot study on fear and risk of fall: The impact of a 8-month multicomponent exercise program in community-dwelling aged adults. Sport Psychology Notebooks, 23(3). https://doi.org/10.6018/cpd.567251
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Psicología del Deporte

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