Effects Of Physical Activity For Relative Risk Of Falls And Fall-related Fractures In The Elderly

Abstract

Fracture is a common source of morbidity and mortality in the elderly, approximately 10% of falls resulting in fractures. PURPOSE: To examine whether physical activity could reduce the risk of falls and fall-related fractures, which based on the epidemiological survey of older Chinese people. METHODS: Referring to the questionnaire by the Disease Control and Prevention Center of Jurong. The Han nationality elderly over 60 years old (including 60) was involved. 6117 questionnaires were collected and 161 invalid questionnaires were deleted. The MET value was referred to the IPAQ. According to Physical Activity Index, the physical activity level (PAL) was divided into “Low”, “Moderate” and “High”. Comparisons between different groups were performed through Two-way ANVOA. RESULTS: The significant difference was shown in height, weight, BMI and bone density between males and females (P<0.01). The height had significant differences between different PAL. Bone density increased significantly with the increase of PAL.(Table1)Table 1: Characteristics of subjects in baselineThe RR of falls of “Moderate” decreased significantly compared with “Low” (RR=0.83, 95%CI=0.59-1.16). The RR of fall-related fractures of “Moderate” and “High” decreased significantly compared with “Low” (RR=0.58 and 0.69,95%CI= 0.26-1.28and 0.37-1.27). (Figure 1) CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity could increase the bone density; and the moderate PAL could decrease the RR of falls and fall-related fractures of the elderly. Though the high PAL could increase the RR of falls which might be explained by the increasing of out-door activities, it could reduce the incidence of fall-related fractures.Figure 1: Relationship between PAL and falls and falls and the fall-related fractures (The calculation of relative risk: based on the “Low” PAL group)