Improved femoral neck BMD in older Finnish women between 2002 and 2010.

Abstract Purpose The number of hip fractures among Finns over 50-years of age rose constantly between 1970 and 1997, but since then, there has been a nationwide decline in incidence of hip fractures. One possible explanation, although not the only one, for the declining fracture rates, could be improved bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in femoral neck BMD between older Finnish women born about a decade apart. Methods We compared the baseline data of two population-based samples of home-dwelling 70–80-year-old women who were initially recruited in exercise intervention studies ( N  = 216 in Cohort1, and N  = 389 in Cohort 2). Femoral neck BMD was …

Combined resistance and balance-jumping exercise reduces older women's injurious falls and fractures: 5-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: previously, a randomised controlled exercise intervention study (RCT) showed that combined resistance and balance-jumping training (COMB) improved physical functioning and bone strength. The purpose of this follow-up study was to assess whether this exercise intervention had long-lasting effects in reducing injurious falls and fractures. DESIGN: five-year health-care register-based follow-up study after a 1-year, four-arm RCT. SETTING: community-dwelling older women in Finland. SUBJECTS: one hundred and forty-five of the original 149 RCT participants; women aged 70-78 years at the beginning. METHODS: participants' health-care visits were collected from computerised…

Effects of Exercise on Health-Related Quality of Life and Fear of Falling in Home-Dwelling Older Women

This randomized, controlled trial evaluated the effects of exercise on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and fear of falling (FoF) among 149 home-dwelling older women. The 12-mo exercise program was intended to reduce the risk of falls and fractures. HRQoL was assessed by the RAND-36 Survey, and FoF, with a visual analog scale, at baseline, 12 mo, and 24 mo. On all RAND-36 scales, the scores indicated better health and well-being. The exercise had hardly any effect on HRQoL; only the general health score improved slightly compared with controls at 12 mo (p = .019), but this gain was lost at 24 mo. FoF decreased in both groups during the intervention with no between-groups difference at…

Kognitiivisen tehtävän vaikutus ikääntyneiden naisten seisoma-asennon hallintaan

Counselling for physical activity, life-space mobility and falls prevention in old age (COSMOS): protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

IntroductionThe most promising way to promote active life years in old age is to promote regular participation in physical activity (PA). Maintaining lower extremity muscle function with good balance has been associated with fewer falls and the need of help from others. This article describes the design and intervention of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effectiveness of a health and PA counselling programme on life-space mobility and falls rates in community-dwelling older adults at the Health Kiosk and/or Service Centre.Methods and analysisCommunity-dwelling men and women (n=450) aged 65 years and over with early phase mobility limitation will be recruited to a 24-mo…