Publication of the Medical Rehabilitation is under the auspices of the Committee on Rehabilitation, Physical Education and Social Integration of the Polish Academy of Science

Medical Rehabilitation - quarterly journal

Volume 7 year 2003, Issue number 3

Age, gender and physical activity in persons declaring falls and the falls circumstances

Authors: Anna Skalska, Jolanta Walczewska, Tomasz Ocetkiewicz

Medical Rehabilitation 2003; 7(3): 49-53

Age, gender and physical activity in persons declaring falls and the falls circumstances

Wiek, płeć i aktywność fizyczna osób zgłaszających upadki oraz okoliczności ich występowania

Anna Skalska, Jolanta Walczewska, Tomasz Ocetkiewicz

Katedra Chorób Wewnętrznych i Gerontologii Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie

Key words

falls, physical activity, gender, age

Summary

Falls are among important problems resulting in increased morbidity and mortality in elderly. Because of frequent difficulties in diagnosing reasons of a fall, the aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and circumstances of falls, and influence of age, gender and physical activity. In the group of 105 patients, 43,8% reported falls during the past year. The falls occurred more frequently among persons older than 75 - 56,5%. Were most common in women over 75 years. Falls happened more often outside home (54%) and during walking (58,7%). Among hospitalized persons, falls were more frequent then in general population over 65 years of age. In examined group falls occurred mostly in persons declaring moderate physical activity.

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Article

Medical Rehabilitation - quarterly journal

Volume 7 year 2003, Issue number 3