Article

OBJECTIVE: To describe the association between fear of falling (FOF) and total
daily activity in older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study.
SETTING: Ambulatory clinical research training center. PARTICIPANTS:
Community-dwelling older adults aged >/=64 years (N=78), who were independent in
ambulation with or without an assistive device.
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: FOF was defined by self-reported fear ratings using the
Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly and self-reported fear
status determined by response to the following question: Are you afraid of
falling? Physical function was assessed using the Late Life Function and
Disability Instrument. Physical activity was recorded using an accelerometer worn
on the waist for 7 consecutive days, and mean daily counts of activity per minute
were averaged over the 7-day period. RESULTS: Fear ratings were related to total
daily activity (r=-.26, P=.02). The relation was not as strong as the relation of
function and physical activity (r=.45, P<.001). When stratified by exercise
status or functional status, fear was no longer related to total daily activity.
Physical function explained 19% of the variance in physical activity, whereas the
addition of fear status did not add to the explained variance in physical
activity. CONCLUSIONS: FOF is related to total daily physical activity; however,
FOF was not independently associated with physical activity when accounting for
physical function. Some FOF may be reported as a limitation in function.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS