Sarcopenia is a potentially modifiable risk factor for falls and fractures in older adults, but the strength of the association between sarcopenia, falls, and fractures is unclear. This study aims to systematically assess the literature and perform a meta‐analysis of the association between sarcopenia with falls and fractures among older adults. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and CINAHL from inception to May 2018. Inclusion criteria were the following: published in English, mean/median age ≥ 65 years, sarcopenia diagnosis (based on definitions used by the original studies' authors), falls and/or fractures outcomes, and any study population. Pooled analyses were conducted of the associations of sarcopenia with falls and fractures, expressed in odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were performed by study design, population, sex, sarcopenia definition, continent, and study quality. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistics. The search identified 2771 studies. Thirty‐six studies (52 838 individuals, 48.8% females, and mean age of the study populations ranging from 65.0 to 86.7 years) were included in the systematic review. Four studies reported on both falls and fractures. Ten out of 22 studies reported a significantly higher risk of falls in sarcopenic compared with non‐sarcopenic individuals; 11 out of 19 studies showed a significant positive association with fractures. Thirty‐three studies (45 926 individuals) were included in the meta‐analysis. Sarcopenic individuals had a significant higher risk of falls (cross‐sectional studies: OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.37–1.86, P < 0.001, I 2 = 34%; prospective studies: OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.33–2.68, P < 0.001, I 2 = 37%) and fractures (cross‐sectional studies: OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.30–2.62, P = 0.001, I 2 = 91%; prospective studies: OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.44–2.03, P = 0.011, I 2 = 0%) compared with non‐sarcopenic individuals. This was independent of study design, population, sex, sarcopenia definition, continent, and study quality. The positive association between sarcopenia with falls and fractures in older adults strengthens the need to invest in sarcopenia prevention and interventions to evaluate its effect on falls and fractures.

At both population and individual level, HGS and KES showed a low to moderate agreement independently of age and health status. HGS alone should not be assumed a proxy for overall muscle strength.

Objectives-To assess the available evidence for preventive strategies for lower limb soft tissue injuries caused by running. Methods-An electronic database search was conducted using The Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group Specialised Register, The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, Embase, Sport Discus, Heracles, Atlantes, Biosis, Cinahl, Scisearch, Current Contents, Index To Theses and Dissertation Abstracts. Any randomised or quasi-randomised trials evaluating interventions to prevent running injuries to lower limb soft tissue were included. The eligibility of trials for inclusion and the quality of the trials were independently assessed by two reviewers. Results-Exposure to a high training load (duration, frequency, or running distance) increases the risk of injury, and thus modification of the training schedule can reduce the incidence of injury. The eVectiveness of stretching exercises and of insoles in the prevention of lower extremity soft tissue injuries caused by running is not known. Wearing a knee brace with a patellar support ring may be eVective in the prevention of anterior knee pain caused by running. Conclusions-This review provides evidence for the eVectiveness of the modification of training schedules in reducing lower limb soft tissue running injuries. More studies are required to quantify the optimal training loads and to confirm that knee braces can prevent knee pain. It is important to note that the studies included in this review had few female participants therefore the results may not be generalisable.Keywords: running; lower limb; soft tissue; knee; ankle Participation in sports and physical activity is increasingly popular. In a survey conducted in Hong Kong on 2652 respondents, an average of 54% of the Hong Kong adult population participated in at least one sports activity during the year of 1998.1 This was higher than in 1996.2 Of the top five major sporting activities, running is one of the most popular. The results suggested that there was an increase in participation in running from 9.6% in 1996 to 12.5% in 1998. A similar trend was found in other countries, such as North America, Canada, and the Netherlands. Despite the health benefits associated with running, concerns have been raised about the high incidence of musculoskeletal injuries, primarily of the lower limbs. In a survey conducted at the Hong Kong Tsing Ma Bridge International Marathon and 10 km run in 1997, with a total of 5500 participants, 5 the incidence of injury (1.3%) requiring physiotherapy was comparable to that in other overseas running competitions.6 7 Several risk factors appear to be associated with injury incidence, such as weekly mileage, history of previous running injuries, number of years in running, training characteristics (speed, frequency, surface, timing), training surface, and footwear.8 9 The most commonly diagnosed lower limb soft tissue injuries caused by distance running were iliotibial band syndrome, tibial stress syndrome, patellofemoral pain syndrome, Achilles tendin...