OCCURRENCE OF FALLS AND FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO PRACTICE AND DO NOT PRACTICE PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of falls and functional performance among elderly people who practiced (GP) and did not practice (GNP) physical exercise. To this end, data on the occurrence of falls and functional performance were analyzed using the Timed Up and Go Test, from 253 elderly people, divided into 2 groups: GNP (n=105) and GP (n=148). It was thus possible to analyze that there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the occurrence of falls (p=0.098), however, the groups were different in relation to the TUG (p=0.031). As a result, we can conclude that although the elderly performed better on the TUG in the PG, they had a similar occurrence of falls to the other group.

Keywords: Physical Exercise; Physical Performance; Falls; Older People.