• Health Policy and Management
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2022

Background: To investigate the association between regular physical exercise and falling experience for 2 years and fear of falling (FOF) in Korean middle-aged and elderly population. Methods: Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Aging was used and 3,871 participants who exercised regularly were included at 2006 and follow-up until 2018. An analysis was performed to investigate the association between exercise (exercise time per week and duration) and falls (experience over past 2 years and FOF) using the generalized estimating equation model. Results: Compared to those who exercised more than 5 hours a week (reference group), those who exercised less than 3 hours were more likely to experience falls and FOF (odds ratio [OR], 1.334; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.059-1.682; OR, 1.218; 95% CI, 1.119-1.326, respectively). Compared to the group who exercised for more than 5 years, those who exercised for less than 1 year were more likely to experience FOF (OR, 1.310; 95% CI, 1.162-1.478). Conclusion: This study showed that there was a negative relationship between physical exercise time and falling experience and FOF in Korean 45 years or more community-dwelling adults. Based on these results, physical activity can be expected to have a positive effect on fall prevention, which implies the need for policy and research on long-term physical activity programs.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors related to fear of falling (FOF) in different age groups from community-dwelling mid to late-adults. Methods: To identify the factors related to FOF, data of 162,684 adults over 45 years of age from 2019 Community Health Survey was analyzed using logistic regression with complex samples. Results: Factors related to FOF found in all age groups were sex, previous experience of falls, physical activity levels over moderate intensity, subjective health status, number of chronic diseases, stress, depression, and cognitive decline. In the 45-64 age group, the FOF was significantly higher in the groups of low education level and low monthly household income. In the 65-74 and over 75 age groups, the FOF was significantly higher in the groups of not living with spouse and walking not practiced. Conclusion: We suggests that understanding of risk factors and early detection of fall risk patients in each age group are necessary to establish and apply tailored fall prevention programs for prevention and management of the FOF in community-dwelling mid to late-adults.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.193-199
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for the development of fall prevention programs for the elderly and for improvement of quality of life based on history of falls, chronic diseases, location, fear of falling, daily living activities, and quality of life. This study was conducted from 15th August to 17th September of 2016 on 185 elderly subjects above the age of 65 living in four centers of J city and four centers of J rural. The results of this study are as follows: There were no statistically significant differences in daily living activities, fear of falls, and quality of life regarding falls in the past. There were statistically significant differences in fear of falling and quality of life regarding chronic diseases. There were statistically significant differences in daily living activities and quality of life regarding residence. This study confirms that there were relations among daily living activities, fear of falling, and quality of life, and there was a negative correlation between fear of falling and accomplishment of daily living activities(r=-.386, p<.000). There was also a positive correlation between accomplishment of daily living activities and quality of life(r=.513, p<.000). Therefore, avoiding outings on slippery roads and creating safe environments for the elderly are important to reduce fear of falling. Additionally, a system should be developed for the elderly to acquire necessary information for daily life.