Citation

Smee DJ, Berry HL, Anson JM, Waddington GS. J. Appl. Gerontol. 2015; 36(2): 156-172.

Affiliation

University of Canberra, Australia University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0733464815570669

PMID

25698721

Abstract

We sought to explore the relationship between two subjective falls-risk assessment tools (Falls Efficacy Scale-International [FES-I] and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence [ABC] Scale) and functional, health-related, and body composition characteristics. A total of 245 community-dwelling people aged 60 to 88 years underwent assessments for subjective falls risk (using the FES-I and ABC Scale), health-related (cognitive; Short-Form Health Survey [SF-12]), functional (physical activity and physical function), and body composition characteristics (measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry). The FES-I and ABC Scale are strongly correlated with each other for females and males (r = -.70, p <.001; r = -.65, p <.001), respectively. There are substantial differences between males and females when they self-assess their risk of falling as well as what characteristics contribute to explaining these self-assessments. Females are potentially more self-aware of their functional, body composition and health-related characteristics to better estimate their own risk of falling. FES-I correlates better with functional, body composition, and health-related characteristics, and thus may be more appropriate for use than the ABC in community-dwelling older adults.

Language: en