The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Falling Risk and Fear of Falling in Elderlies

Physical activity is defined as voluntary movements produced by skeletal muscles that result in increased energy expenditure. Physical activity includes activities that are done as a part of daily life. One of the protective factors against mental and physical diseases in old age is physical activity. There is a linear and strong link between physical activity and health. Physical inactivity accounts for 6% of deaths worldwide and ranks fourth among risk factors. Being physically active has an important place in the protection and development of health, active healthy aging, and protection from diseases caused by inactivity.

Activities of daily living are essential and important vital functions for a healthy or sick individual to survive. The most important wishes of aging individuals are to be able to perform daily living activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and getting up without the need for help. The activities of daily living of the elderly are reduced or prevented, and they begin to lose their independence.

Fear of falling, which is frequently encountered in the elderly, is among the psychological consequences of falling. Fear of falling, which is defined as avoidance of activity or fear of falling leading to decreased activity, is seen in 35-55% of the elderly. Falls are among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. One-third of people over the age of 65 fall each year, and half of the falls are recurrent falls. Depending on the fear of falling, the physical activities of the elderly may be restricted.