The falling risk and physical fitness in older people

This study aims to analyse the correlation between the falling risk and their physical fitness, deciding the top parameters affecting the falling risk, and preparing a evaluation procedure for the medical department working on this issue for the old people in rest homes. This study includes 60 persons whose age avarege were 73.28±6.63 years old. These people are categorized in three groups due to their sex, sickness situation and whether they use medicine or not. It has been evaluated their demographic characteristics, cognitive function, their balance, falling risk and their physical fitness level. A survey has been done to determine the demographic features of the old. The participants? congnitive function was determined using Mini Mental State Test; falling risk by Berg balance test; was balance by standing on one foot test, and physical fitness was determined by Senior Fitness Test. It has been found out that the values of Berg balance test results, regarding standing on right foot with eyes open and standing on the left with one eyes closed, standing and sitting on the armchair, arm curl and step in two minutes were lesser comparing with the subjects those who do not use medicine (p<0.05). Also it is decided that the`8-foot up-and-go test? in older subjects who do not take any medicine was lower compared with the subjects taking regular medicine in terms of completing test duration (p<0.05). The subjects whose illness have direct relation with the falling Berg balance test, standing on one foot test and two minute step tests results were lesser compared with the subjects who have no illness (p<0.05). Furthermore the results of `8-foot up-andgo test? in the subjects who had no illness were lesser when compared to the subjects who had sickness directly related to falling in terms of performing the test duration (p<0.05). While the participants Berg balance test correlation between sitting standing on chair, arm curl and two minute step test are positive; but the correlation between Berg balance test and `8-foot up-and-go test? were negative. Howewer there was no correlation between the Berg balance test and chair sit and reach test, back scratch test and VKI results (p>0.05). Due to the results of logistic regression models in order to find out the variations affecting the falling risk most, it has been showed that `8-foot up-and-go test? was reliable. Additionally the subjects probability performing the `8-foot up-and-go test? before 8.14 second was OR=11(%95, GA:2,25?53,84) times more with maximum 56 points in Berg balance test. We have showed that the falling risk increases with declining of upper and lower extremity muscle strength, aerobic endurance, agility and dynamic balance performance. Agility and dynamic balance performance were mostly releavant with falling risk. We have decided that the old persons? falling risk and physical fitness level should be evaluated in some intervals. According to their falling risks and physical fitness level, the rehabilitation programs should be programmed to decrease their falling risk, and to increase lower and upper extremity muscle strength, aerobic endurance and especially their agility and dynamic balance performance. Key Words: Elderly, balance, fall risk, physical fitness viii