home-dwelling hip fracture patients can benefit from an extended supervised strength-training programme in a rehabilitation setting. These patients are capable of high-intensity strength training, which should optimise gains in physical function, strength and balance. Resistance exercise training seems to influence functional performance adaptation.

twelve weeks of progressive strength training performed once a week, as a follow-up to a more intensive training period, seemed to improve strength and endurance and resulted in better self-reported NEADL and self-rated health after hip fracture. Hip fracture patients seem to constitute a group that needs long-term follow-up to achieve the improvements necessary for independent functioning.

Background The purpose of the study was to describe the design, implementation and evaluation of a flipped classroom teaching approach in physiotherapy education. The flipped classroom is a blended learning approach in which students receive digital lectures as homework, while active learning activities are used in the classroom. Flipped classroom teaching enables a learning environment that aims to develop higher-order cognitive skills. Methods The study design was a historically controlled, prospective, cohort study. An eight week theoretical course on musculoskeletal disorders was redesigned, moving from a conventional approach to a flipped classroom model. Pre-class learning material consisted of about 12 h of video lectures and other digital learning resources that were split up over the duration of the course. In-class activities consisted of seven full-day seminars where students worked in groups in order to solve problem-based assignments. The assignments were designed to reflect authentic clinical problems and required critical thinking and reasoning. Outcomes were measured with course-grades and compared with historical controls of conventional teaching, using descriptive statistics. Self-perceived learning outcomes and students’ experiences were also collected in a survey. Results Fifty-one students passed the course exam, two failed and one did not attend ( n = 54). The share of students with Excellent, Very good and Good (ABC) performances increased by more than 10% relative to any previous year. In addition, Satisfactory, Sufficient and Failed performances (DEF) decreased by more than 10%. Almost two thirds of the students preferred the flipped classroom approach as compared with conventional teaching. Interaction with peers and educators, and flexibility, were the most positive factors that were reported by students. Long seminars, time-constraints and low motivation with respect to preparation and educators’ roles were the most common complaints. Conclusions A flipped classroom approach in physiotherapy education resulted in improved student performances in this professional programme, when compared with conventional teaching. Students responded positively to the collaborative learning environment, especially with respect to the associated autonomy and flexibility. There were indicators that all groups did not work optimally and that accountability to other group members did not always ensure pre-classroom preparations.

The objective of the study was to examine the predictive effect of prospectively registered falls on survival within a randomly selected group of elderly women. A longitudinal study, with 9 years follows up after 1 year prospective fall registration was designed. Persons age 75 or more living in the community. A total of 300 Norwegian women; mean age was 80.8 participated in the study. Base-line registrations of health, functioning and medication were made. Falls which occurred during a 1-year period after baseline were registered as well as the date of death within a 9-year period after the end of the fall registration period. Half of the women reported one or more falls (1-11). Eighty-six women (28.7%) experienced only one fall and 65 (21.7%) had at least two. During the 9-year follow-up period, 41.7% died. Cox regression analyzes demonstrated that frequent falling, old age and a self-reported worsening of health were significantly associated with mortality during the follow-up period. Their relative risks of death when experiencing at least two falls was 1.6 (95% CI 1.1-2.4), P = 0.04, when compared with no falls. Older fallers appear to have markedly increased mortality. Since falls are common among elderly people, this is a relevant fact for public health policy. Increasing age, poor self-rated health and high frequency of falls predict independently mortality in our 9 years follow up study. Because women represent the largest proportion of the elderly and falls are amendable, fall preventive may have the potential for significant impact on increasing year of life.