The effect of detraining on balance and risk of falls in older adults

Abstract

Individual intrinsic changes such as decreased ability to maintain postural balance (influenced by factors such as cognitive impairment, unsteady gait, and muscle weakness) associated with extrinsic factors increase the risk of falling in the elderly population. These falls associated with increased reaction time and pathologies such as osteoporosis, which have its highest incidence in this age group, lead to higher rates of health spending, long-term (or permanent) functional disability and mortality due to these condition falls are generally influenced by balance deficits.6,7 The relationship between balance and risk of falls includes intrinsic and extrinsic factors. concomitantly with adaptations of extrinsic factors, one of the main resources for reducing the risk of falls is physical activity performed regularly to reduce intrinsic influences, such as muscle weakness.8,9