Emerging concept: ‘central benefit model’ of exercise in falls prevention

Author: Liu-Ambrose, T.; Nagamatsu, L.S.; Hsu, C.L.; Bolandzadeh, N.

Description: Falls are a common geriatric syndrome and are the third leading cause of chonic disability worldwide. Falls are not random events and occur, at least in part, due to impaired physiological function, such as impaired balance, and cognitive impairment. The clinical syndrome of falls is important for Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinicians as there is Level 1 evidence that targeted exercise prescription is an effective intervention strategy. The widely accepted dogma is that improved physical function, balance and muscle strength, underlies the effectiveness of the exercise in reducing falls. However, findings from randomised controlled trials suggest that exercise reduce falls via mechanisms other than improved physiological function. The authors propose that improved cognitive function – specifically, executive functions – and associated functional plasticity may be an important yet underappreciated mechanism by which the exercise reduces falls in older adults.

Subject headings: Accidental Falls/prevention & control; Aged; Executive Function/physiology; Exercise/physiology; Exercise Therapy/methods; Humans; Risk Factors

Publication year: 2013

Journal or book title: British Journal of Sports Medicine

Volume: 47

Issue: 2

Pages: 115-117

Find the full text: https://www.strategian.com/fulltext/LiuAmbrose2013.pdf

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Type: Journal Article

Serial number: 2032