The Relationship Between Subjective Falls-Risk Assessment Tools and Functional, Health-Related, and Body Composition Characteristics

J Appl Gerontol. 2017 Feb;36(2):156-172. doi: 10.1177/0733464815570669. Epub 2016 Jul 9.

Abstract

We sought to explore the relationship between two subjective falls-risk assessment tools (Falls Efficacy Scale-International [FES-I] and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence [ABC] Scale) and functional, health-related, and body composition characteristics. A total of 245 community-dwelling people aged 60 to 88 years underwent assessments for subjective falls risk (using the FES-I and ABC Scale), health-related (cognitive; Short-Form Health Survey [SF-12]), functional (physical activity and physical function), and body composition characteristics (measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry). The FES-I and ABC Scale are strongly correlated with each other for females and males ( r = -.70, p < .001; r = -.65, p < .001), respectively. There are substantial differences between males and females when they self-assess their risk of falling as well as what characteristics contribute to explaining these self-assessments. Females are potentially more self-aware of their functional, body composition and health-related characteristics to better estimate their own risk of falling. FES-I correlates better with functional, body composition, and health-related characteristics, and thus may be more appropriate for use than the ABC in community-dwelling older adults.

Keywords: body composition; falls risk; older adults.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Australia
  • Body Composition*
  • Fear / psychology
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postural Balance
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Self-Assessment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires