• Victoria Hornyak, Jennifer S Brach, David M Wert, Elizabeth Hile, Stephanie Studenski, and Jessie M Vanswearingen.
• Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: vhornyak@pitt.edu.
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Dec 1; 94 (12): 2529-34.

ObjectiveTo describe the association between fear of falling (FOF) and total daily activity in older adults.DesignCross-sectional observational study.SettingAmbulatory clinical research training center.ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling older adults aged ≥64 years (N=78), who were independent in ambulation with or without an assistive device.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresFOF was defined by self-reported fear ratings using the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly and self-reported fear status determined by response to the following question: Are you afraid of falling? Physical function was assessed using the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument. Physical activity was recorded using an accelerometer worn on the waist for 7 consecutive days, and mean daily counts of activity per minute were averaged over the 7-day period.ResultsFear ratings were related to total daily activity (r=-.26, P=.02). The relation was not as strong as the relation of function and physical activity (r=.45, P<.001). When stratified by exercise status or functional status, fear was no longer related to total daily activity. Physical function explained 19% of the variance in physical activity, whereas the addition of fear status did not add to the explained variance in physical activity.ConclusionsFOF is related to total daily physical activity; however, FOF was not independently associated with physical activity when accounting for physical function. Some FOF may be reported as a limitation in function.Copyright © 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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