Effects of Fall Prevention Exercise on Fall-Related Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Elderly Women

Abstract

OBJECTIVES Falls are more likely to occur in old age and are a cause of death in the elderly due to physical and psychological dysfunction, limiting activities of daily living, and reducing quality of life due to fear of falling and restrictions on physical movement. METHODS This study conducted a 10-week fall prevention exercise program on elderly women at B university in Busan Metropolitan City, and compared and analyzed body composition, fall-related physical fitness factors, and quality of life. RESULTS First, when the 10-week fall prevention exercise program was applied to elderly women, there were statistically significant differences in muscle mass, body fat mass, and BMI in the exercise group. Second, Following a 10-week fall prevention exercise intervention, there were also statistically significant differences in agility, muscular endurance, and flexibility in the exercise group. Third, Subsequent to a 10-week fall prevention exercise program, there were statistically significant differences in life satisfaction in the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS The results above show that the fall prevention exercise program implemented in this study can have a positive effect on the body composition and fall-related physical fitness factors of elderly women. Based on these results, it is thought that providing regular physical activity opportunities and developing a fall prevention exercise program will be of great help in improving the body composition and fall-related physical fitness of elderly women, as well as improving the physical fitness, preventing falls, and quality of life of elderly women.