Key result
Exercise improves physical function and reduces fall risk in adults with CVD.
Why the study?
Adults with cardiovascular disease face a heightened risk of falls, and the effectiveness of exercise in preventing and managing falls in this population needed evaluation.
Do exercise approaches improve physical function and mitigate fall risk in adults and older adults with cardiovascular disease?
Systematic Review
Do exercise approaches improve physical function and mitigate fall risk in adults and older adults with cardiovascular disease?
Exercise programs generally improve physical function and reduce fall risk in older adults with cardiovascular disease, though optimal standardized protocols remain to be defined.
Supports exercise integration into CVD care to improve function and reduce falls; confirms RCT benefits while leaving optimal protocols undefined.
Adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) face a heightened risk of falls. Exercise approaches have been identified as a potential strategy to improve physical function and mitigate fall risk. Evaluate the effectiveness of exercise in preventing and mana- ging falls among adults and older adults with CVDs. A comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to June 2024 was conducted across five electronic databases. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess study quality. Thirteen RCTs met the inclu- sion criteria. Exercise protocols varied in frequency (2–5 sessions per week), session duration (20–60 minutes), and program length (6–12 weeks). Most studies have demonstrated signifi- cant improvements in physical function, as assessed through measures such as the 10-m walk test and the Berg Balance Scale. Fall risk reduction, primarily evaluated via the Falls Efficacy Scale, was observed in most studies, though two did not report significant effects. Exercise approaches enhance physical func- tion and contribute to fall prevention in individuals with CVDs. However, variations in program design limit the ability to estab- lish standardized recommendations. Further research is needed to determine the most effective exercise modalities for optimiz- ing fall prevention strategies in this population.
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Mofirra et al. (2025) conducted a systematic review in Cardiovascular disease. Exercise was evaluated on Physical function and fall risk reduction. Exercise approaches improved physical function and reduced fall risk in adults with cardiovascular disease across 13 randomized controlled trials.
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