Bainbridge D1,2, Tilley V1,3, Sadowsky M4
1Special Olympics International, Special Olympics Health, Washington DC, United States, 2University of Montana, Rural Institute on Inclusive Communitieis, Missoula, United States, 3ElderFit In Home Rehab, Hillsborough, United States, 4Special Olympics International, Research Department, Washington DC, United States
Background: Although rates of falling are reported for the aging population and for those aging with intellectual disability (ID), reported rate of falls has not been assessed for persons with ID who are active in sports. Also, the relationship of reported falling to performance on balance and lower extremity strength tests has not been assessed in this specific group.
Purpose:
1. To assess falls rates for SO athletes according to age and gender
2. To determine how fall rates compare to reported rates in general population and population of those with ID
2. To determine if athletes who fail at least one balance test or a lower extremity strength test report a greater incidence of falls
3. To define if any differences in balance testing are noted in number of tests failed, and specifically which tests are failed (SLS eyes open and closed, FRT, Sit to Stand Test) between those who report falls and those who do not report falling.
Methods: Data from 40,775 athletes on standardized balance (Single Leg Stance - eyes open and closed, and Functional Reach Test) and strength tests (Timed Sit to Stand Test), and self-reported fall history from the Healthy Athletes FUNfitness screenings from 2007-2017 were analyzed.
Results: Only 11.5% of SO athletes reported a fall in their home in the past year. Among those reporting falls, females had a significantly higher rate than males (13.6% vs. 10.3%). The reported fall rate by age was stable between 20-39 years. After age 40, the fall rate increased (40-49 years = 13.1%; 50-59 years = 14.6%) but the greatest increase occurred after age 60 (20.1%).
Among athletes who reported falls, a significantly higher rate did not pass both balance tests (Single Leg Stance (SLS) eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) than those who did pass (12.9% vs 9.1% SLS EO, 12.1% vs 9.3% SLS EC). Those with or without reported falls who had no balance issues passed Sit to Stand (STS), the lower extremity strength test (81.4 - 82.1%). Athletes without a reported fall who demonstrated balance issues were more likely to fail STS than athletes who reported a fall (40.7%); athletes with both reported fall and balance issues failed at a high rate (47.2%).
Conclusion(s): The reported fall rate of athletes was low, but increased with age. This pattern resembles the behavior of aging adults in the general population. The reported fall rate is lower in aging SO athletes than the general population >65 years (25%).
Balance appears related to reported fall rate. Athletes with deficits in lower extremity strength had greater balance issues and higher reported fall rates. These results concur with data validating the impacts of balance and leg strength on fall prevention.
Implications: - Reported falling is an issue with athletes with ID as they age.
- Both LE strength and balance have an impact on the rate of reported falls.
- Aging persons with ID should be referred for exercise programming to maintain LE strength and address issues of balance at rest and during activity.
Keywords: Balance and Falls, Intellectual Disability, Aging
Funding acknowledgements: Research supported by Cooperative Agreement 5NU27DD001156 from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data collection supported by the Golisano Foundation.
Purpose:
1. To assess falls rates for SO athletes according to age and gender
2. To determine how fall rates compare to reported rates in general population and population of those with ID
2. To determine if athletes who fail at least one balance test or a lower extremity strength test report a greater incidence of falls
3. To define if any differences in balance testing are noted in number of tests failed, and specifically which tests are failed (SLS eyes open and closed, FRT, Sit to Stand Test) between those who report falls and those who do not report falling.
Methods: Data from 40,775 athletes on standardized balance (Single Leg Stance - eyes open and closed, and Functional Reach Test) and strength tests (Timed Sit to Stand Test), and self-reported fall history from the Healthy Athletes FUNfitness screenings from 2007-2017 were analyzed.
Results: Only 11.5% of SO athletes reported a fall in their home in the past year. Among those reporting falls, females had a significantly higher rate than males (13.6% vs. 10.3%). The reported fall rate by age was stable between 20-39 years. After age 40, the fall rate increased (40-49 years = 13.1%; 50-59 years = 14.6%) but the greatest increase occurred after age 60 (20.1%).
Among athletes who reported falls, a significantly higher rate did not pass both balance tests (Single Leg Stance (SLS) eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) than those who did pass (12.9% vs 9.1% SLS EO, 12.1% vs 9.3% SLS EC). Those with or without reported falls who had no balance issues passed Sit to Stand (STS), the lower extremity strength test (81.4 - 82.1%). Athletes without a reported fall who demonstrated balance issues were more likely to fail STS than athletes who reported a fall (40.7%); athletes with both reported fall and balance issues failed at a high rate (47.2%).
Conclusion(s): The reported fall rate of athletes was low, but increased with age. This pattern resembles the behavior of aging adults in the general population. The reported fall rate is lower in aging SO athletes than the general population >65 years (25%).
Balance appears related to reported fall rate. Athletes with deficits in lower extremity strength had greater balance issues and higher reported fall rates. These results concur with data validating the impacts of balance and leg strength on fall prevention.
Implications: - Reported falling is an issue with athletes with ID as they age.
- Both LE strength and balance have an impact on the rate of reported falls.
- Aging persons with ID should be referred for exercise programming to maintain LE strength and address issues of balance at rest and during activity.
Keywords: Balance and Falls, Intellectual Disability, Aging
Funding acknowledgements: Research supported by Cooperative Agreement 5NU27DD001156 from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data collection supported by the Golisano Foundation.
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing; Intellectual disability; Older people
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: Special Olympics International
Ethics committee: Research Department
Reason not required: Previously collected data that was totally anonymous was analyzed.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
