Impact of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on fall risks in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Abstract The objective of this work was to summarise and evaluate the evidence showing that physical activity is a protector factor as regards falls in older people. Relevant studies were identified through a systematic search in the MEDLINE and Cochrane Library, under the keywords of accidental fall/numerical data and risk factors, and with the bibliographies of retrieved papers. The combined odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval for physical activity was 0.75 0.64, 0.88 with moderate heterogeneity ( I 2 = 33%). For fall injury, it was 0.59 0.47, 0.74 and, for falls in general, it rose to 0.94 0.76, 1.17 with nil heterogeneity. The combined OR for sedentary factors was 1.14 1.10, 1.82 with moderate heterogeneity ( I 2 = 36%). Regular physical activity in daily life yields significant reduction in falls in older people, especially falls with injuries.