Is The Physical Activity Vital Sign Associated With Fall Risk In Older Adults?

Abstract

PURPOSE: ACSM Exercise Is Medicine (EIM) initiative recommends the use of Physical Activity Vital Signs (PAVS) as an objective measure to assess compliance with the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. While physical activity is important for overall health, it may not necessarily improve balance and reduce risk of falls. The purpose of this study is to determine the associations between PAVS and measures of fall risk. METHODS: 65 seniors (age=81.2+8.0) participated. The PAVS was calculated in accordance with ACSM Exercise is Medicine. Fall risk was assessed using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), and BTrackS™ Balance Plate. A less than 68-point ABC score suggested less balance confidence and a fall risk. A greater than 12-second TUG time and greater postural sway on the balance plate (based on BTrackS normative data) suggested a fall risk. Dependent measures were dichotomized as fall risk or no fall risk. Separate point biserial correlations were conducted to determine associations between the PAVS and fall risk category for the ABC, TUG, and postural sway. RESULTS: No signficant associations existed between PAVS and ABC (r = .23; p = .06), TUG (r = .20; p = .12), or postural sway (r = -.01; p = .94). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing physical activity levels based on the PAVS was not strongly associated with scores from commonly used fall risk assessments. This finding suggests that meeting physical activity guidelines alone may not be sufficient to reduce fall risk. While the PAVS can provide benefical information regarding other health factors, clinicians should utilize established balance screening tools and incorporate balance exercises into physical activity prescription to reduce fall risk in older adults.