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Effect of physical exercise on fall episodes in the elderly: a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Introduction

Falls are very common among the elderly and can lead to high levels of morbidity and other adversities. Given the importance of preventing falls, it is suggested that physical activity can contribute to preventing such events.

Objective

To investigate the protective effect of physical exercise on episodes of falls in the elderly and, after long follow-up intervals without other interventions, to examine the effectiveness of exercise.

Method

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials reporting only interventions in physical exercise and falls in the elderly searched the SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases for articles published until July 2022. Meta-regression was used to investigate the post-intervention time and the quality of studies on the effect of physical exercise on falls. Heterogeneity was calculated using the I2 statistic. Forest plot and funnel plot were used to represent the fall incidence rate ratio and subgroup analysis.

Results

Physical exercise alone was not enough to protect against falls, but the follow-up period without intervention proved significant in protecting against falls (0.83; CI 95% 0.75–0.92).

Conclusion

Short interventions without follow-up were not enough to protect against falls, but interventions via physical exercise showed a protective effect on falls in the elderly when there was follow-up after long periods without interventions, only follow-up.

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Data availability

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Acknowledgements

We offer our deepest thanks to the institutions that provided technical support for the development and implementation of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Epidemiologia –Rio de Janeiro, Collective Health, Universidade Do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Medicina Social Hésio Cordeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

    Júlia Araujo de Figueiredo & Magno Conceição Garcia

  2. Departamento de Educação Física E Desportos–Seropédica, Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Educação, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

    Aldair José de Oliveira

Authors
  1. Júlia Araujo de Figueiredo
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  3. Aldair José de Oliveira
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Contributions

The idea for the article came up: JAF and AJO. Performed the bibliographical research: JAF, MCG and AJO. Data analysis: JAF, MCG and AJO. Wrote and/or critically revised the work: JAF, MCG and AJO.

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Correspondence to Magno Conceição Garcia.

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de Figueiredo, J.A., Garcia, M.C. & de Oliveira, A.J. Effect of physical exercise on fall episodes in the elderly: a meta-analysis. Sport Sci Health 20, 309–319 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-023-01145-w

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