DIFFERENTIATING FACTORS IN ELDERLY FALLERS AND NON-FALLERS OF MASCULINE GENDER

In order to reduce the number of falls it is necessary to identify the most serious risk factors. Elderly fallers are usually characterised by a lower muscular strength of the lower body, lower walking speed and worse general health. A tendency of the stability limit to lower was noted in people who fell in the previous year. The value of this parameter decreases with age, therefore it may be an indicator of efficiency of functioning of the balance maintaining system. The aim of the study was to find factors which differentiate falling and non-falling elderly men. In total 27 generally healthy men aged over 75 years took part in the study. The participants were divided into two groups - those who fell and those who did not fall in the period of one year before the study. Their height and body mass were measured and BMI index was calculated. Using the electric bioimpedance method (Akern RJT system - BIA 101/S) the value of fat mass was assessed (FM%). Then the value of maximum sways on a stable posturographic platform was established. A computer posturographic system PE produced by the Military Institute of Aviation Medicine in Warsaw (a platform with four tensometric force transducers) was used. On the basis of the obtained values of sways the sway area was calculated. To study psychomotor fitness reaction time of decision was measured by "Decision Test" (Vienna Test System, software for psychological diagnosis - product of Schuhfried, Austria). This test needs correct and fast reaction suitable right or left leg or hand on particular signal (some colour or high or low tone). Functional fitness was measured on the basis of selected tests from "The Senior Fitness Test" (Rikli and Jones 2001): lower body strength, agility/dynamic balance, flexibility and aerobic endurance. Last, to compare the elderly F and NF, we used Statistica 7.0 and performed a Mann-Whitney test. The BMI and FM do not differentiate fallers from non-fallers. No differences were found in terms of reaction time between the groups. The men who fell in the year preceding the study were characterised by a lower strength of the lower body part and a lower level of aerobic endurance (p<0.05). No relationship was found between the falls and joint mobility. The sway area does not differentiate between the fallers and non-fallers. The complexity of the multiple mechanisms underlying postural control does not allow for clear indication of the risks of stability loss. The group of the studied mate fallers aged over 75 was characterised by a lower strength and endurance of lower body muscles compared to non-fallers.