Article by the experts: Yves J Gschwind
The world is experiencing rapid growth in the number of people over the age of 60, projected to increase from 688 million in 2006 to nearly 2 billion in 2050. This demographic shift, driven by longer life expectancy and declining birth rates, poses significant public health challenges. Aging is associated with a progressive deterioration of physical and mental health, increasing the risk of disability, dependency and comorbidities. A common and serious public health problem is falls, which affect more than 33% of people over 65 years of age, with serious consequences such as hip fractures, associated with high mortality and decreased functionality.
Detection of risk factors for falls is crucial to implement effective prevention strategies. Some factors are irreversible, but others, such as muscle weakness, balance deficits and gait instability, can be modified with structured exercise programs. Balance is critical to preventing falls, and tests and exercises should address different aspects of balance, including steady state, proactive and reactive, as well as dual-task situations to replicate everyday activities. Specific balance training can counteract deficits and reduce the risk of falls in older adults.
The increase in the older adult population worldwide poses significant challenges in terms of public health. With the aging of the population, there is an increased risk of falls, which represent one of the most common and serious health problems in this population. Falls can have devastating consequences, such as bone fractures, decreased functionality and autonomy, and even increased mortality. Therefore, it is crucial to implement effective fall prevention interventions to improve the quality of life of older adults and reduce the costs associated with the treatment of fall injuries.
In this context, the present study focuses on the evaluation of a structured exercise program designed to address the major risk factors for falls in older adults. These factors include balance impairment, gait instabilities, and muscle weakness, all of which have been identified as significant contributors to the incidence of falls in this population. The proposed intervention aims to improve participants' physical function and reduce their risk of falls through a practical and adaptive approach.
To assess the effectiveness of the intervention, objective measures of balance and muscle strength/power will be used. This will include clinical tests such as functional reach, rise and gait time, and grip strength, as well as biomechanical measures such as maximal vertical jump power. These tests will allow for a comprehensive assessment of participants' physical function before, during and after the intervention, which will help determine the impact of the exercise program on reducing fall risk.
In addition to the primary outcome measures, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) will be conducted to assess participants' body composition. This will provide additional information on participants' physical health and help identify possible correlations between body composition and fall risk.
In summary, this study aims to provide an effective and sustainable intervention for falls prevention in older adults. It is hoped that the results will contribute to knowledge about the impact of exercise on physical function in this population and help inform future public health interventions and policies aimed at reducing the incidence of falls in older adults.
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