Example exercises.

PurposeExercise-based falls-prevention programs are cost-effective population-based approaches to reduce the risk of falling for older adults. The aim was to evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacy of three existing falls-prevention programs.MethodsA non-randomized study design was used to compare the immediate-post and long-term physical outcome measures for three falls prevention programs; one high-level land-based program, one low-level land-based program and a water-based Ai Chi program. Timed-up-and-go (TUG), five-times sit-to-stand (5xSTS), six-minute walk test (6MWT) and six-meter walk test were assessed at baseline, post-program, and at six-months follow-up. Linear mixed models were used to analyze between- and within- group differences, with the high-level land-based program used as the comparator.ResultsThirty-two participants completed post-program assessment and 26 returned for follow-up. There was a difference in the age (years) of participants between programs (p = 0.049). The intercept for TUG and six-meter walk test time was 47.70% (23.37, 76.83) and 32.31s (10.52, 58.41), slower for the low-level group and 40.49% (17.35, 69.89) and 36.34s (12.75, 64.87), slower for the Ai Chi group (p p = 0.05). Walking speed for the six-meter walk test was only faster at six-months (p ConclusionThese results indicate land-based and water-based falls-prevention programs improve physical outcome measures associated with falls-risk and many improvements are maintained for six months after the completion of the program. (Retrospective trial registration: ACTRN1262300119069)

研究目的：以运动为基础的防跌倒项目是具备成本效益的人群干预策略，可有效降低老年人的跌倒风险。本研究旨在评估三款现有防跌倒项目的短期与长期疗效。

研究方法：本研究采用非随机化研究设计，对比三款防跌倒项目（分别为高剂量陆地项目、低剂量陆地项目以及水基Ai Chi项目）在项目即刻后与长期随访中的躯体结局指标。于基线、项目结束后以及6个月随访时，对计时起身行走试验（Timed-up-and-go, TUG）、五次坐站试验（five-times sit-to-stand, 5xSTS）、六分钟步行试验（six-minute walk test, 6MWT）以及六米步行测试进行评估。采用线性混合模型分析组间与组内差异，以高剂量陆地项目作为对照。

研究结果：共有32名参与者完成了项目结束后的评估，其中26名返回参与随访。各组参与者的年龄（岁）存在统计学差异（p=0.049）。计时起身行走试验与六米步行测试时间的截距分别为47.70%（23.37, 76.83）与32.31s（10.52, 58.41），低剂量陆地组的表现更为迟缓；Ai Chi组的截距则为40.49%（17.35, 69.89）与36.34s（12.75, 64.87），其表现同样较慢（p=0.05）。六米步行测试的步行速度仅在6个月随访时更快（p

研究结论：本研究结果表明，陆地与水基防跌倒项目均可改善与跌倒风险相关的躯体结局指标，且多数改善效果可在项目结束后维持6个月。（回顾性试验注册：ACTRN1262300119069）