Summary
Background
Falls are common in physically active older people due to their increased exposure to hazardous situations. However, most studies of the characteristics and circumstances of falls are based on frail older people.
Objective
To describe the location, time, cause, injuries and medical treatment associated with falls in a physically active group of older people.
Methods
Prospective falls data over a 12-month period were obtained from 293 people (163 men and 130 women) aged between 70 and 90 years who took part in the “Standfest im Alter” study, a randomized controlled trial conducted in Erlagen, Germany.
Results
During the study period, there were 322 falls. 122 participants (42%) fell at least once and 62 (21%) fell on multiple occasions. The typical fall occurred outside the home during leisure activities, at midday or in the afternoon and did not result in injury or admission to hospital. There were no differences in the rate of falls according to gender; however, fall location, time of fall, fall injury and visits to the doctor after the fall were all influenced by gender.
Conclusions
The results of this study provide useful insights into the characteristics and circumstances of falls in physically active older people living in the community, which may assist with the development of future falls prevention activities.
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Körperlich aktive ältere Menschen stürzen häufig bedingt durch größeres Ausgesetztsein von gefährlichen Situationen. Jedoch sind die meisten Studien zu den Umständen und Charakteristika von Stürzen in einer Population älterer motorisch eingeschränkter Menschen durchgeführt worden.
Forschungsgegenstand
Beschreiben von Ort, Zeit, Sturzursache, Verletzungen und medizinische Behandlung bei einer aktiven Gruppe älterer Menschen.
Methoden
Prospektive Sturzerhebung über 12 Monate bei 293 Teilnehmern (163 Männer und 130 Frauen) im Alter von 70 bis 90 Jahren, die an der randomisierten, kontrollierten Studie Standfest im Alter Erlangen, Deutschland teilnahmen.
Ergebnisse
Während des Erfassungszeitraums wurden 322 Stürze gemeldet. 122 Teilnehmer (42%) stürzten mindestens einmal und 62 (21%) stürzten mehrmals. Der typische Sturz ereignete sich außer Haus während einer Freizeitaktivität, am Mittag oder Nachmittag und bewirkte keine Verletzungen oder einer Krankenhauseinweisung. Es gab keinen Unterschied in der Sturzrate zwischen den Männern und Frauen, jedoch waren der Ort, Zeit des Sturzes Sturzverletzungen und Arztbesuche geschlechtsabhängig.
Diskussion:
Die Resultate dieser Studie geben wertvolle Hinweise über Umstände sowie Charakteristika bei Stürzen in einer aktiven älteren, selbstständigen Kohorte, die helfen können entsprechende Interventionsprogramme zur Sturzprävention für diese Population zu entwickeln.
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Funding source: Robert Bosch Foundation, Siemens Health Insurance
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Freiberger, E., Menz, H.B. Characteristics of falls in physically active community-dwelling older people. Z Gerontol Geriatr 39, 261–267 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-006-0394-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-006-0394-2