Physical Activity-Related Injuries in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to conduct a comprehensive and systematic scoping review to identify and document the breadth of literature related to physical activity-related injuries in older adults. The population of interest was adults (both males and females) over the age of 65 years, participating in exercise, leisure-time, or sport-type physical activities. The initial search yielded 16,828 articles, with 43 articles ultimately included. The final 43 articles utilized the following study designs: three experimental (two randomized control and one non-randomized control), 14 prospective studies, and 26 retrospective. The results of this scoping review would suggest that it may be premature to provide definitive incidence rates, causes, and correlates of physical activity-related injuries in older adults. However, the current literature does not suggest that older adults are at an increased risk of injury from participation in physical activities. Future research should utilize a consistent definition of 'injury' and consistent and comprehensive descriptors of injuries--including intensity level of engagement of activity and burden/severity of injury. In addition, injury rates in specific populations are needed, particularly for the oldest-old, for those in assisted-living situations, and for subgroups with clinical conditions. Finally, greater surveillance and documentation of older adult initiatives and interventions are needed in order to identify programs successful in reducing the injury rates of their target populations.

Aging affects mechanical properties and lubricin/PRG4 gene expression in normal ligaments

“…In general, it is easy to assume that older athletes are at higher risk of activity-related injuries when compared to their younger counterparts. However, attempts at determining their actual incidence of injury have shown that they appear to be at similar risk (Ganse et al, 2014;Stathokostas et al, 2013). Recently, more attention has been directed towards the study of the mature athlete with specific attention to knee injuries.…”

Lesões relacionadas ao desporto competitivo e não competitivo em idosos do sexo masculino

“…Os valores de lesão encontrados no presente estudo podem ter sido semelhantes, pois mesmo que o desporto seja praticado de forma não competitiva, pode, ainda, existir o caráter competitivo. Apesar disso, estudo de revisão sistemática sobre lesões em idosos não sugere que esses indivíduos apresentem um risco aumentado de lesão da participação em atividades físicas de lazer (34) . Na verdade, a forte evidência dos benefícios de saúde de atividades físicas para uma população idosa supera a não participação, à luz do momento pequeno risco de lesão (34) .…”

Ergonomic Approaches for the Improvement of Sport Injury Analysis and Prevention

“…Physical activities from overall population groups are a usual apprehension, but increasing levels of recreational physical activities and sports involvements have been informed in some population groups [2,[5][6][7]. However, the promotion of physically active lifestyles to reduce the risk of chronic diseases should consider the possible problem of accompanying injuries [3,8,9]. Injuries are practically the unique disadvantage of exercise or sport, but may be a usual outcome from physical activities and have been disclosed as a sizable problem [5][6][7]10].…”