Complex-tasking exercise improves fall risk in older adults

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a complex course obstacle negotiation exercise (CC), a 24-week exercise program, can reduce falls and fractures in older adults, as compared with a simple course obstacle negotiation exercise (SC). This trial was conducted on older adults, aged 75 years and above in Japan. In total, 157 participants were randomized into the CC group (n=78) and the SC group (n=79). Participants were enrolled in the exercise class using the CC program or the SC program for 24 weeks. The outcome measure was the number of falls and fracture rates in CC and SC groups for 12 months following the completion of the 24-week exercise class. Two participants (2.8%) in the CC group and 19 (26.0%) in the SC group experienced falls during 12 months. During the 12-month follow-up period after the intervention, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of falls in the SC group against the CC group was 9.37 (95% CI=2.26-38.77). One participant (1.4%) in the CC group and 8 (10.9%) in the SC group had experienced fractures during 12 months after the exercise class. The IRR of fractures in the SC group against the CC group was 7.89 (95% CI=1.01-61.49). The results of this trial indicate that the participants who received individualised obstacle avoidance training under complex task combined with a traditional intervention had a lower incidence rate of falls and fractures during 12 months after the intervention.