The role of physical activity and physical function on the risk of falls in older Mexican Americans

Zakkoyya H. Lewis, Kyriakos S. Markides, Kenneth J. Ottenbacher, Soham Al Snih

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    12 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    We investigated the relationship between physical activity and physical function on the risk of falls over time in a cohort of Mexican-American adults aged 75 and older from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE). Participants were divided into four groups according to their level of physical activity and physical function: low physical activity and low physical function (n = 453); low physical activity and high physical function (n = 54); high physical activity and low physical function (n = 307); and high physical activity and high physical function (n = 197). Using generalized linear equation estimation, we showed that participants with high physical activity and low physical function had a greater fall risk over time, followed by the high physical activity and high physical function group. Participants seldom took part in activities that improve physical function. To prevent falls, modifications to physical activity should be made for older Mexican Americans.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)342-349
    Number of pages8
    JournalJournal of aging and physical activity
    Volume24
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jul 2016

    Keywords

    • Injury
    • PASE
    • Physical performance
    • SPPB

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
    • Rehabilitation
    • Gerontology
    • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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