An Epidemiological Study of the Risk Factors of Bicycle-Related Falls Among Japanese Older Adults
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- Sakurai Ryota
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Kawai Hisashi
- Research Team for Human Care, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Suzuki Hiroyuki
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Ogawa Susumu
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Kim Hunkyung
- Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Watanabe Yutaka
- Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Hirano Hirohiko
- Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Ihara Kazushige
- Department of Social Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine
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- Obuchi Shuichi
- Research Team for Human Care, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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- Fujiwara Yoshinori
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology
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Abstract
<p>Background: Considering the rate of growth of the older population in several countries, accidental falls in older cyclists are expected to increase. However, the prevalence and correlates of bicycle-related falls (BR-falls) are unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore the characteristics of BR-falls, focusing on the risk factors.</p><p>Methods: Seven-hundred and ninety-one older adults participated in a comprehensive baseline assessment that included questions on bicycle use, BR-falls, lifestyle, and physical and cognitive evaluations. A cyclist was defined as a person who cycled at least a few times per month. The incidence of BR-falls in participants who did not report BR-falls at baseline was again ascertained 3 years later. Logistic regression analyses examined the predictors of BR-falls incidence.</p><p>Results: At baseline, 395 older adults were cyclists and 45 (11.4%) of them had experienced BR-falls. Adjusted regression analysis showed that slower gait velocity, shorter one-leg standing time, and experience of falls (ie, non-BR-falls) were associated with BR-falls. Among the 214 cyclists who did not report BR-falls at baseline and who participated in both baseline and follow-up assessments, 35 (16.4%) cyclists experienced BR-falls during the 3-year follow-up. Adjusted regression analysis revealed that higher body mass index and non-BR-falls were predictors of future incidence of BR-falls, independent of physical function.</p><p>Conclusions: Our results showed that experience of falls, irrespective of bicycling, is an independent correlate and risk factor of BR-falls. This suggests that experience of falls and BR-falls may share the same risk factors.</p>
Journal
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- Journal of Epidemiology
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Journal of Epidemiology 29 (12), 487-490, 2019-12-05
Japan Epidemiological Association