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Table 2 Risk factors for fractures due to falling

From: Role of physical activity in the prevention of falls and their consequences in the elderly

Risk factors

Risk factors inherent to the individual:

Age (specially over 75 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%)