The aim of this study was to compare the risk factors for falls in older women with different levels of physical activity. The sample was composed by 50 community-dwelling older women, matched by age (71,62 + 5,49 years old). The outcomes evaluated were number of falls, risk factors of QuickScreen Test, time to complete the TUG test, fear of falling and self-perception about health. The questionnaire Human Activity Profile was used to evaluate the level of physical activity. The older women were allocated to following groups: inactive (GI) n=17, moderate active (GM) n=16 or active (GA) n=17. One-Way Anova test was used to compare risk factors for falls between GI, GM and GA groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the variables fear of falling and self-perception about health. The level of significance was set at α=0,05. There were found significant differences between GI X GM, GI X GA. There were found significant difference between GM X GA groups only for TUG test. The results suggest that moderate active and active older women show less risk for fall, when compared with sedentary ones.
Older women; physical activity; falls; balance
