Arnold C1, Giles H2, Barnes J2, Margareth P2, Banman D3, Lanovaz J3, Weimer M4
1University of Saskatchewan, School of Rehabilitation, Saskatoon, Canada, 2None, Saskatoon, Canada, 3University of Saskatchewan, Kinesiology, Saskatoon, Canada, 4Saskatchewan Heath Authority, Saskatoon, Canada
Background: Men are just as likely as women to fall and sustain some serious injuries from a fall as women are, but they are less likely to seek medical attention for a fall-related injury and less likely to participate in fall prevention education and exercise programming. There is a lack of research exploring the reasons why.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons why, and the experience of both men and women's participation in a 12-week fall prevention intervention.
Methods: A longitudinal study targeted equal recruitment of men and women to participate in a fall and injury prevention exercise and education intervention twice per week for 12 weeks. Focus groups for men and women were conducted after the class to determine reasons for participation, experiences of the program, barriers and facilitators for participation and the perceived gender differences. There were five focus groups conducted in total, three with women only and two with men only. In total, 16 women and 20 men participated in the focus groups. A semi-structured interview was conducted by the same facilitator, someone not directly involved in the intervention or the study. Transcripts were coded and themed by one researcher, three community advisors, and a research assistant.
Results: There were no gender differences in attendance or retention rates during the exercise intervention. In the focus group discussions, there were differences identified between men and women. Both men and women reported increasing balance and strength as important reasons for participating, as well as the importance of knowledgeable leaders trained to provide individual progressions and support. Women more often reported improved posture, psychological benefits such as increased confidence and the positive impact of the socialization aspect. Men reported that barriers revolved around stigma in not needing fall prevention, less likely to acknowledge health concerns, and less likely to want to participate in group programming. Women tended to acknowledge that barriers were not an issue for them and they were more likely to find solutions to resolve potential barriers in order to participate in programming. Both men and women reported women as more likely to plan for the future and to be more proactive in finding structured exercise and educational programs to participate in during retirement years.
Conclusion(s): Differences exist in the factors that draw men to fall prevention programming verses women and it is important to understand these differences when designing fall prevention studies and programs.
Implications: In order to address the future demographic shift of increasing numbers of older adults experiencing the risks of falling and related consequences, physical therapists will be important leaders to develop, market, and implement community fall prevention programming. Enhanced knowledge of the sex and gender differences in fall risk factors, reasons for participating and the programming components important to sustain motivation and commitment will be important to guide future recruitment and retention efforts.
Keywords: older adults, falls, participation
Funding acknowledgements: Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation
College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Masters of Physical Therapy 992 Fund
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons why, and the experience of both men and women's participation in a 12-week fall prevention intervention.
Methods: A longitudinal study targeted equal recruitment of men and women to participate in a fall and injury prevention exercise and education intervention twice per week for 12 weeks. Focus groups for men and women were conducted after the class to determine reasons for participation, experiences of the program, barriers and facilitators for participation and the perceived gender differences. There were five focus groups conducted in total, three with women only and two with men only. In total, 16 women and 20 men participated in the focus groups. A semi-structured interview was conducted by the same facilitator, someone not directly involved in the intervention or the study. Transcripts were coded and themed by one researcher, three community advisors, and a research assistant.
Results: There were no gender differences in attendance or retention rates during the exercise intervention. In the focus group discussions, there were differences identified between men and women. Both men and women reported increasing balance and strength as important reasons for participating, as well as the importance of knowledgeable leaders trained to provide individual progressions and support. Women more often reported improved posture, psychological benefits such as increased confidence and the positive impact of the socialization aspect. Men reported that barriers revolved around stigma in not needing fall prevention, less likely to acknowledge health concerns, and less likely to want to participate in group programming. Women tended to acknowledge that barriers were not an issue for them and they were more likely to find solutions to resolve potential barriers in order to participate in programming. Both men and women reported women as more likely to plan for the future and to be more proactive in finding structured exercise and educational programs to participate in during retirement years.
Conclusion(s): Differences exist in the factors that draw men to fall prevention programming verses women and it is important to understand these differences when designing fall prevention studies and programs.
Implications: In order to address the future demographic shift of increasing numbers of older adults experiencing the risks of falling and related consequences, physical therapists will be important leaders to develop, market, and implement community fall prevention programming. Enhanced knowledge of the sex and gender differences in fall risk factors, reasons for participating and the programming components important to sustain motivation and commitment will be important to guide future recruitment and retention efforts.
Keywords: older adults, falls, participation
Funding acknowledgements: Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation
College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Masters of Physical Therapy 992 Fund
Topic: Older people; Service delivery/emerging roles; Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of Saskatchewan
Ethics committee: University of Saskatchewan Biomedical Research Ethics Board
Ethics number: Bio 16-238
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
