Perceived Physical Functioning and Gait Speed as Mediators in the Association Between Fear of Falling and Quality of Life in Old Age

Abstract

Preserving Quality of Life (QoL) in old age gains in importance, but Fear of Falling (FoF) considerably limits QoL. The aim of our study was to understand how physical mediators may translate FoF to QoL. At Time 1, FoF, subjective leg strength, balance, QoL, and objective gait speed were assessed. QoL was reassessed after 6 months, at Time 2 ( n = 125). A sequential mediation analysis examined whether the relationship between FoF and QoL could be mediated by leg strength, balance, and gait speed. FoF was directly associated with QoL (β = −.27; 95% CI [−0.007, −0.001]) as well as indirectly via leg strength, balance, and gait speed (specific sequential indirect effect: β = −.03; 95% CI [−0.06, −0.001]; R2 = .40 in QoL; controlled for age, QoL at Time 1). An intervention approach could be to address FoF and foster physical functioning and gait speed to maintain QoL.