Citation

Vitor PR, de Oliveira AC, Kohler R, Winter GR, Rodacki C, Krause MP. Acta Ortop. Bras. 2015; 23(3): 158-161.

Affiliation

Academic Department of Physical Education, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia)

DOI

10.1590/1413-78522015230300816

PMID

26207095

PMCID

PMC4503610

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To verify prevalence of falls and fear of falling, and to compare functional fitness among elderly women fallers and non-fallers.

METHODS: Seventy-eight elderly women participated in this study. Cases of falls and the fear of falling were self-reported by the elderly women, while the functional fitness was measured by a set of functional tests. Mean and standard deviation were used to describe the sample. Independent t-test was used to compare functional fitness between groups.

RESULTS: The prevalence of falls in this sample was 32.4%. Among women fallers, 40% self-reported a high fear of falling.

CONCLUSION: It is recommended that functional and resistance exercises are included in the preventive strategies for reducing risk factors for falls and its determinants in elderly women. Level of Evidence II, Prognostic-Prospective Study.

Language: en