[Effect of a fall prevention program on subjective age in older people].

Abstract

Objective: This study tested whether the subjective age tends to decrease after following a fall preventive program. This study also examines whether physical abilities and psychological resources at baseline are associated with this decrease in subjective age. Finally, this study tested to what extent the evolution of subjective age is concomitant with the evolution of these physical abilities and psychological resources between the beginning and the end of the program.

Method: A sample of 42 individuals over 65 years (M = 71) took part in a program comprising 12 balance sessions. These people answered a questionnaire to assess subjective age and fear of falling, at the beginning and at the end of the program. Participants also completed Time Up and Go test, before and after the program. In addition, demographic factors, chronic diseases, subjective health, as well as depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline, and included as covariates in the analyses.

Results: Wilcoxon signed rank analyzes showed that participants felt younger after the intervention than before (W = 334; p < 0.05). Concretely, participants feeling younger from 6.43% at baseline to 9.63% at the end of the program. The multiple linear regression analyzes reveal that a more favorable perceived health as well as a better mobility function at baseline are associated with an increase of feeling younger at the end of the program. Finally, an improvement in functional mobility between the start and the end of the program is also associated with an increase of feeling younger.

Discussion: This study highlights the benefits of a fall prevention program on feeling younger for old people. In view of the benefits generated by feeling younger than one's chronological age, this study increases the interest of preventive actions to reduce the loss of functional independence in aging.