Exploring Mediation Effects of Gait Speed, Body Balance, and Falls in the Relationship between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Vulnerable Older Adults

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine whether gait speed (GS), body balance (BB), and falls mediated the relationship between physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in community-dwelling older adults. This is a cross-sectional study that included 305 men and 314 women (69.5 ± 5.6 years), residing in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal. HRQoL and PA were assessed using the SF-36 and Baecke Questionnaires, respectively. While BB was obtained by the Fullerton Advance Balance (FAB) scale, GS by the 50-foot (15 m) walk test, and the frequency of falls was obtained by self-report. According to the analyses, when GS and BB were placed concomitantly as mediators, the direct effect revealed by the model revealed a non-significant relationship between PA and falls. Thus, in the context of falls, GS and BB partially mediated the association between PA and HRQoL in approximately 29.7%, 56%, and 49.2%, respectively. The total HRQoL model explained a variance of 36.4%. The results can help to understand the role that GS, BB, and falls play in the relationship between PA and HRQoL of the vulnerable older adult population.

Effect of Physical Activity on Health-Related Quality of Life of Older Adults Using Newly Developed Health-Related Quality of Life Tool for the Korean Population

“…This increased attention will positively affect the physical activities of older individuals, improving the HRQoL of the next generation. Other studies related to this topic have been initiated not only in Korea but also in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Portugal, Singapore, and Taiwan [29,[32][33][34][35][36][37]. This indicates that the importance of HRQoL is being emphasized.…”

“…The medical costs of older individuals are two times to five times higher than those of younger generations; therefore, medical expenses have become an important social issue with negative implications such as bankruptcy. However, these economic problems could be prevented or reduced by increased physical activity, improving physical functions that protect health [35]. Therefore, physical activities positively affect the maintenance of physical health and psychological health and improve the HRQoL as well as the medical expenses of older individuals.…”

Correlatos das quedas em pessoas idosas do Amazonas, Brasil

“…Com base no perfil de queda os principais resultados revelaram que a idade não apresentou diferenças significativas entre os idosos com quedas (70,35 anos) e idosos sem quedas (70,37 anos). Estes resultados são confirmados por outros autores que encontraram médias de idade semelhantes relacionadas a ocorrência e a não ocorrência de quedas 18,40 .…”