Physical Activity, Injurious Falls, and Physical Function in Aging: An Umbrella Review

Abstract

Purpose: To review and update the evidence of the relationship between physical activity, risk of fall-related injury, and physical function in community-dwelling older people that was presented in the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report (PAGAC Report). Methods: Duplicate independent screenings of 1,415 systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2006 and 2016 identified from PubMed®, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases yielded 111 articles used for the PAGAC Report. The PAGAC Aging Subcommittee members graded scientific evidence strength based upon a 5-criteria rubric and assigned one of four grades: strong, moderate, limited, or not assignable. An updated search of 368 articles published between January 2017 and March 2018 yielded 35 additional pertinent articles.

Is achieving 7,000 steps/day associated with older adults’ lower-extremity performance? Cross-sectional and prospective findings from Taiwan

“…Consistent with those of previous studies [6,[25][26][27] indicating that meeting physical activity recommendation can help to improve or delay the loss of physical function in older adults, our results further extend previous ndings by demonstrating that achieving the recommended minimum level of step-based physical activity (7,000 steps/day) is also protective for older adults against lower-extremity functional decline. Our ndings can be explained by a number of previous laboratory-based trials, which demonstrated that accumulating a certain amount of physical activity in short bouts has the same health bene ts as engaging in the same overall amount of activity in a single continuous period in terms several health indicators [28][29][30][31].…”

Effects of aquatic physical intervention on fall risk, working memory and hazard-perception as pedestrians in older people: a pilot trial

“…The study found that after six and 12 weeks of intervention, the API group achieved higher improvement on fall risk score as compared to the NPI group. Previous studies have found that the effect of OLPI, such as Tai-Chi, on fall risk was promising but inconclusive (50)(51)(52)(53). The current study results are in accordance with previous publication (33) suggest that the Ai-Chi method can help to reduce fall risk.…”

Home‐based training strategy to maintain muscle function in older adults with diabetes during COVID‐19 confinement

“…7 Physical activity has been shown to be a very effective strategy in the prevention and treatment of DM2, with similar benefits from both endurance and strength training on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, 8 increased fitness levels, 9 and decreased risk of disability. 10 Moreover, strength training focusing on performing the concentric phase of the movement as fast as possible has been shown to improve physical performance in DM2 frail older people. 11 The Supplement provides a simple, well-structured multicomponent training program that older DM2 adults could follow at home.…”

“…The exercise protocol has been developed to maintain muscle mass, strength, and therefore glycemic control and functional ability. 7,10 Other important aspects like mobility, flexibility, and balance are also included. In general, this training program is suitable for older adults without severe mobility and/or balance limitations, as well as other medical conditions that would prevent them from performing exercises using high movement velocities (ie, recent hip fractures, stroke).…”

“…In those cases, mobility-oriented physical activities have been demonstrated to be a better option to improve physical function. 10 On the other hand, those patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases could benefit from the present training protocol, because of the growing evidence on the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise that may help manage inflammation. 12 It is also important to mention that those persons suffering from foot ulcers or advanced neurodegeneration should avoid exercises involving impacts against the floor that could induce microtrauma.…”