Gerontology
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Physical activity (PA) and exercise have numerous beneficial effects in older adults. The effect of sustaining an injury from a fall on subsequent PA levels has received little research attention, even though about a quarter of older adults who fall sustain a serious injury. Even less is known about the effect of injurious falls on different PA categorizations. ⋯ Categorization of PA type (household vs. recreational) suggests distinct differences in PA response following an injurious fall. Use of an overall PA measure would obscure this finding. Following further research, the results from this study may help in the design of preventive strategies to maximize physical activity in those who have sustained an injurious fall.
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Current demographic trends pose a major societal challenge due to the rising number of older people with chronic conditions such as stroke. The relative impact of various disabilities at the time of discharge from an acute unit on discharge outcome is poorly understood. ⋯ The ability to transfer has a pivotal role in the clinical decision making of discharge destination after stroke. Understanding of the factors which may increase the potential for improving this ability after acute stroke could have an impact on clinical outcome.
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Ambulation is one of the most important elements of mobility, and difficulty with ambulation is often cited as a common problem among older adults. Self-report assessments (e.g. walking confidence) provide complementary information to performance tests (e.g. the Timed Up and Go Test, TUG) because they offer data not obtainable from a test of walking performance. ⋯ The ASCQ is reliable and support for validity is evident for this sample of community-dwelling older adults. Further studies are needed to assess the reliability and validity in a frailer older adult sample. The ASCQ may be useful to clinicians and researchers alike for determining an older adult's confidence with their walking ability.