BACKGROUND: Foot and ankle (FA) exercise programs might reduce the risk of falling in older adults. We sought to systematically review the current literature on FA exercise programs targeted at reducing the risk of falling in older adults. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed database, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Articles were included based on the following criteria: 1) randomized controlled trial, 2) FA exercise program, and 3) use of fall risk-related motor outcomes (strength, balance, flexibility, and functional ability) or use of falls as an outcome. Weighted effect sizes (d) were calculated across studies for estimating the overall effect of FA exercises on the most frequently reported motor outcome parameters. RESULTS: Eight publications met the inclusion criteria. Small to moderate overall effects were found for balance (d = 0.46, P < .001) and ankle flexibility (d = 0.29, P = .006). No significant overall effects were found for ankle plantarflexor strength (d = 0.11, P = .223) and walking performance (d = -0.05, P = .404). Controversial results were reported for other functional measures. Effects varied depending on the type of intervention. Only one study reported improved ankle evertor strength and a significant reduction in falls. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that FA exercise can improve certain fall risk-related motor outcomes and reduce falls. Limited effects on strength and functional ability might be related to insufficient training intensity and lack of adherence. Further studies that include progressive strength and flexibility training are necessary to validate which FA exercise programs are most effective at preventing falls.
BACKGROUND: Foot and ankle (FA) exercise programs might reduce the risk of falling in older adults. We sought to systematically review the current literature on FA exercise programs targeted at reducing the risk of falling in older adults. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed database, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Articles were included based on the following criteria: 1) randomized controlled trial, 2) FA exercise program, and 3) use of fall risk-related motor outcomes (strength, balance, flexibility, and functional ability) or use of falls as an outcome. Weighted effect sizes (d) were calculated across studies for estimating the overall effect of FA exercises on the most frequently reported motor outcome parameters. RESULTS: Eight publications met the inclusion criteria. Small to moderate overall effects were found for balance (d = 0.46, P < .001) and ankle flexibility (d = 0.29, P = .006). No significant overall effects were found for ankle plantarflexor strength (d = 0.11, P = .223) and walking performance (d = -0.05, P = .404). Controversial results were reported for other functional measures. Effects varied depending on the type of intervention. Only one study reported improved ankle evertor strength and a significant reduction in falls. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that FA exercise can improve certain fall risk-related motor outcomes and reduce falls. Limited effects on strength and functional ability might be related to insufficient training intensity and lack of adherence. Further studies that include progressive strength and flexibility training are necessary to validate which FA exercise programs are most effective at preventing falls.
Authors: Sarah Cockayne; Joy Adamson; Belen Corbacho Martin; Caroline Fairhurst; Catherine Hewitt; Kate Hicks; Robin Hull; Anne Maree Keenan; Sarah E Lamb; Lorraine Loughrey; Caroline McIntosh; Hylton B Menz; Anthony C Redmond; Sara Rodgers; Wesley Vernon; Judith Watson; David Torgerson Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2014-12-17 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Gavin Wylie; Claire Torrens; Pauline Campbell; Helen Frost; Adam Lee Gordon; Hylton B Menz; Dawn A Skelton; Frank Sullivan; Miles D Witham; Jacqui Morris Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2019-05-01 Impact factor: 10.668
Authors: Christopher J Keating; José Carlos Cabrera-Linares; Juan A Párraga-Montilla; Pedro A Latorre-Román; Rafael Moreno Del Castillo; Felipe García-Pinillos Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-11 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Catherine Park; Md Moin Uddin Atique; Ramkinker Mishra; Bijan Najafi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-30 Impact factor: 4.614