Effects of exercise on health-related quality of life and fear of falling in home-dwelling older women

J Aging Phys Act. 2012 Apr;20(2):198-214. doi: 10.1123/japa.20.2.198.

Abstract

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 12 or 24 mo. In conclusion, despite beneficial physiological changes, the exercise intervention showed rather limited effects on HRQoL and FoF among relatively high-functioning older women. This modest result may be partly because of insufficient responsiveness of the assessment instruments used.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls*
  • Activities of Daily Living*
  • Aged
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Exercise Therapy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Fear*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Independent Living
  • Postural Balance
  • Quality of Life*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires