Fear of falls and functional performance of elderly people in the community

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/2357-9641.2025.1.46902

Keywords:

elderly person, fear of falling, functional tests

Abstract

Introduction: the elderly population has been increasing significantly since the end of the 20th century. Given this scenario, it is necessary to pay attention to falls, given the negative impact they have on the lives of elderly people. Given this, it is important to study the fear of falling and its influence on the functional performance of elderly people.
Objective: to evaluate the association between fear of falling and the functionality of elderly people in the community.
Methods: this is a cross-sectional study, where participants were chosen for convenience, in the age group over 60 years old. The elderly answered questions about their fear of falling in everyday situations, using the International Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I - Brazil) and performed functional tests, such as the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), to assess functional performance; the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), to assess the degree of independence related to functionality (dynamic balance); and the Single Leg Support Test (TAU), to assess static balance.
Results: 62 elderly people participated in the study, 53 women and 9 men. The fear of falling and the score obtained in the FES-I had a significant influence on the number of falls suffered and on the Timed Up Go test (0.03*). According to the findings, it was possible to detect that the fear of falls is associated with functionality, reducing the degree of freedom and functional independence.

Conclusion: the fear of falling can influence the functional performance of elderly people, affecting the quality of life of the study population.

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Author Biographies

Letícia Portela de Lima, Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), Brasilia, DF, Brazil.

Postgraduate in Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy and Intensive Care from CEAFI College, in Brasília, DF, Brazil; physiotherapist from the Catholic University of Brasília (UCB), in Brasília, DF, Brazil.

Taynara Raquel Souza Menezes, Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), Brasilia, DF, Brazil.

Physiotherapist from the Catholic University of Brasília (UCB), in Brasília, DF, Brazil.

Fernanda Nelli Gomes Giuliani, Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), Brasilia, DF, Brazil.

Master in Gerontology from the Catholic University of Brasília (UCB), in Brasília, DF, Brazil; graduated in Physiotherapy from the Methodist University of Piracicaba, in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. PhD student in the Postgraduate Program in Stricto Sensu in Gerontology at the Catholic University of Brasília (UCB), in Brasília, DF, Brazil.

Karla Helena Coelho Vilaça e Silva, Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), Brasilia, DF, Brazil.

PhD and Master in Biomedical Research from the University of São Paulo (USP), in São Paulo, SP, Brazil; graduated in Physiotherapy from the University of Franca (UNIFRAN), in Franca, SP, Brazil. Residency in Geriatric Physiotherapy from the University of Franca (UNIFRAN), in Franca, SP, Brazil.

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Published

2025-04-28

How to Cite

Portela de Lima, L., Souza Menezes, T. R., Nelli Gomes Giuliani, F., & Coelho Vilaça e Silva, K. H. (2025). Fear of falls and functional performance of elderly people in the community. PAJAR - Pan American Journal of Aging Research, 13(1), e46902. https://doi.org/10.15448/2357-9641.2025.1.46902