From: Role of physical activity in the prevention of falls and their consequences in the elderly
Risk factors |
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Risk factors inherent to the individual: |
Age (specially over 75Â years) |
Female (vs. male) |
Family history of fractures due to osteoporosis (maternal hip fracture) |
Recurrent falls in previous year |
Previous fracture caused by a low energy impact |
Osteopenia, osteoporosis and associated disorders |
Low body weight (body mass index <19 kg/m2) |
Bone structure: geometry and lenght |
Corticosteroids treatments |
Hormonal factors |
Behaviour risk factors: |
Nutritional factors |
Low consumption of calcium (<700 mg/d) |
Vitamin D deficit (low exposition to sun light) |
Physical inactivity |
Tobacco |
Alcohol |
Factors that potentiate falls impact: |
Height (the taller the person the greater the impact) |
Decreased muscular and fat mass |
Lateral falls |
Point of impact on the bone (for instance the femoral neck) |
Loss of defence reflexes |
Floor surface |
No use of artificial shock absorber (reduction of the occurrence of fractures by 40%) |