Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting the perceived and measured fall risk in the older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Urla State Hospital, Healthy Ageing School. Physical and sociodemographic characteristics of the elderly were questioned and recorded. Cognitive status, comorbidity, physical activity levels, walking speed, functional lower extremity strength, functional mobility, strength (knee extensors, ankle dorsiflexors, elbow flexors), hand grip strength, perceived fall risk were evaluated with Mini Mental State Test, Charlson Age-Added Comorbidity Index, Physical Activity Assessment Scale, 10 meters walking test, 30 seconds chair sit-up test, Timed Up&Go Test, hand-held dynamometer, sphygmomanometer, International Fall Efficiency Scale, respectively. Objective measurement of risk of falling were done by Dynamic Postural Stability Test (Tecnobody Pro-Kin balance device). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine possible factors associated with perceived and measured fall risk. Results: The study included 36 (27 females, 9 males) older adults with a mean age of 70.06±4.46 years. Height, elbow flexor muscle strength and body mass index explained 42% of the variance (f2 =0.73) in perceived fall risk. The number of comorbidities, functional mobility and height explained 54% of the variance (f2 =1.15) in the measured fall risk. Conclusion: Short height, lack of elbow flexors’ strength and high body mass index were associated with fear of falling in the elderly; as well as long height, high number of comorbidities and poor functional mobility may the predictors of fall risk in elderly patients.

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