Physiological risk of falls, physical and aerobic capacity in community-dwelling elderly

Abstract Introduction: Falls are multifactorial and are related to the aging process, reduced functional capacity, comorbidities, sensory deficits, muscle weakness, postural instability and decreased protective response. Objective: To verify the correlation between physiological risk of falls and physical and aerobic capacity of the community-dwelling elderly. Method: Participated elderly individuals from the community, aged ≥65 years, without distinction of sex, race, and/or social class. We excluded cognitive impairments, locomotion incapacity, neurological diseases or sequelae, and/or severe pain that prevented the performance of the tests. We evaluated risk of falls (Physiological Profile Assessment - PPA), physical capacity (Short Physical Performance Battery - SPPB) and aerobic capacity (Shuttle Walk Test - ISWT). Results: Participated 59 elderly (71.8±5.0 ys). The mean performance in PPA was 0.4±0.4; SPPB was 10.4±1.7 and ISWT was 281±111.7 meters. PPA presented a moderate and statistically significant correlation (P<0.001) for SPPB (r= -0.53) and ISWT (r= -0.46). Conclusion: There is a moderate correlation between the physiological risk of falls (PPA) and functional (SPPB) and aerobic capacity (ISWT). Preventive measures to reduce the risk of falls should include strategies to increase functional and aerobic capacity. It is suggested the systematic use of SPPB in clinical practice.

摘要 引言：跌倒是多因素事件，与衰老进程、功能能力下降、共病、感觉缺陷、肌肉无力、姿势不稳及保护性反应降低密切相关。研究目的：验证社区居住老年人跌倒生理风险与躯体功能及有氧能力之间的相关性。研究方法：纳入年龄≥65岁的社区居住老年人，不限制性别、种族及社会阶层。排除存在认知障碍、运动功能丧失、神经系统疾病或后遗症、以及因严重疼痛无法完成测试的受试者。我们对跌倒风险（生理概况评估量表（Physiological Profile Assessment, PPA)）、躯体功能（简易体能状况量表（Short Physical Performance Battery, SPPB)）及有氧能力（往返步行试验（Shuttle Walk Test, ISWT)）进行了评估。研究结果：共纳入59名老年人（年龄71.8±5.0岁）。PPA的平均得分为0.4±0.4；SPPB平均得分为10.4±1.7；ISWT平均完成距离为281±111.7米。PPA与SPPB（r=-0.53）及ISWT（r=-0.46）均呈中等程度且具有统计学意义的相关性（P<0.001）。研究结论：跌倒生理风险（PPA）与躯体功能（SPPB）及有氧能力（ISWT）之间存在中等程度相关性。降低跌倒风险的预防措施应包含提升躯体功能与有氧能力的相关策略。建议在临床实践中系统性使用SPPB量表。