Association of Physical Activity and Physical Functioning Phenotypes With Fall Risk Among Women

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Association of Physical Activity and Physical Functioning Phenotypes With Fall Risk Among Women

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Kelly R. Ylitalo, PhD, Carrie A. Karvonen-Gutierrez, PhD, MPH, Barbara Sternfeld, PhD, ...

First Published January 31, 2021 Research Article 

https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264320988405

Article information

Abstract

Objective: 

Physical activity (PA) may slow aging-related declines in physical functioning (PF), but the relationship of PA and falls is not well understood. This study examined the association of PA and PF with falls.  

Methods: 

The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation participants (n = 1597; age: 65.1 years ± 2.7) reported PF and PA in 2012–2013 and falls in 2016–2017. Four phenotypes were identified: high PA–high PF, high PA–low PF, low PA–high PF, and low PA–low PF.  

Results: 

One-third (29.3%) reported ≥1 fall. Women with low PA–low PF (RR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.66) and with high PA–low PF (RR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.74) were more likely to fall than high PA–high PF. Over time, women with worsening PF had increased fall risk (RR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.74), but women who increased PA did not.  

Discussion: 

Poor PF increases the risk of falls, regardless of PA. However, increasing PA does not necessarily increase fall risk, reinforcing the importance of PA engagement.

Keywords physical functioning, physical activity, falls

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