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Sports
Special Issues
Physical Activity for Preventing and Managing Falls in Older Adults
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Physical Activity for Preventing and Managing Falls in Older Adults

A special issue of Sports (ISSN 2075-4663).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2026) | Viewed by 19864

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. António Monteiro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Research Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
2. Department of Sports Sciences, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
Interests: physical activity; exercise; sports; injury prevention; fitness; health; wellness; falls; rehabilitation; sports medicine; biomechanics; machine learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The prevention and management of falls in older adults is a significant public health challenge with important implications for this population's quality of life and independence. This Special Issue aims to explore the effectiveness of physical activity as a key intervention to reduce the risk of falls and improve the overall health of older adults.

Physical activity positively impacts muscle strength, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, and quality of life in older adults. Data analysis techniques, including classical statistics and machine learning, are used to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise programs. These methodologies allow for a detailed and precise analysis of the results obtained.

The results of experimental studies and clinical trials demonstrate the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in preventing falls. These studies provide robust and reliable evidence that can confidently inform health policies and clinical practices.

This Special Issue aims to gather innovative research and robust evidence that can promote the implementation of effective exercise programs for the prevention and management of falls in older adults, thereby contributing to the improvement of public health and the quality of life of this population.

Prof. Dr. António Monteiro
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sports is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • physical activity
  • physical fitness
  • functional fitness
  • independency
  • body composition
  • fall prevention

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1085 KB  
Article
Effectiveness of an mHealth Exercise Program on Fall Incidence, Fall Risk, and Fear of Falling in Nursing Home Residents: The Cluster Randomized Controlled BeSt Age Trial
by Jonathan Diener, Jelena Krafft, Sabine Rayling, Janina Krell-Roesch, Hagen Wäsche, Anna Lena Flagmeier, Alexander Woll and Kathrin Wunsch
Sports 2026, 14(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14010041 - 15 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1099
Abstract
The global rise in nursing home (NH) populations presents substantial challenges, as residents frequently experience physical and cognitive decline, low physical activity, and high fall risk. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the BeSt Age App, a tablet-based, staff-supported mHealth intervention designed to [...] Read more.
The global rise in nursing home (NH) populations presents substantial challenges, as residents frequently experience physical and cognitive decline, low physical activity, and high fall risk. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the BeSt Age App, a tablet-based, staff-supported mHealth intervention designed to promote physical activity and prevent falls among NH residents. Primary outcomes were fall incidence and fall risk (assessed using Berg Balance Scale [BBS] and Timed Up and Go [TUG]); fear of falling was a secondary outcome. In a cluster-randomized controlled trial across 19 German NHs, 229 residents (mean age = 85.4 ± 7.4 years; 74.7% female) were assigned to an intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). The 12-week intervention comprised twice-weekly, tablet-guided exercise sessions implemented by NH staff. Mixed models and generalized estimating equations were used under an intention-to-treat framework. The IG showed significantly greater improvement in BBS scores than the CG (group × time: F(1, 190.81) = 8.25, p = 0.005, d = 0.22), while group × time changes in TUG performance, fear of falling, and fall incidence were nonsignificant. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of a staff-mediated mHealth approach to fall prevention in NH residents, showing significant improvements in BBS scores as one functional indicator of fall risk, while TUG, fall incidence and fear of falling showed no change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity for Preventing and Managing Falls in Older Adults)
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15 pages, 2030 KB  
Article
Multicomponent Exercise and Functional Fitness: Strategies for Fall Prevention in Aging Women
by André Schneider, Luciano Bernardes Leite, José Teixeira, Pedro Forte, Tiago M. Barbosa and António M. Monteiro
Sports 2025, 13(6), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13060159 - 24 May 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4647
Abstract
Aging is associated with physiological changes that increase the risk of falls, impacting functional independence and quality of life. Multicomponent exercise training has emerged as an effective strategy for mitigating these risks by enhancing strength, balance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Aging is associated with physiological changes that increase the risk of falls, impacting functional independence and quality of life. Multicomponent exercise training has emerged as an effective strategy for mitigating these risks by enhancing strength, balance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 30-week multicomponent training program on functional fitness and fall prevention in older women. A parallel, single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 40 participants (aged ≥ 65 years), divided into an exercise group and a control group. The intervention combined strength, balance, coordination, and aerobic training, following international exercise guidelines for older adults. Functional fitness was assessed using validated tests, including the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, lower limb strength, flexibility, and aerobic endurance measures. Results demonstrated significant improvements in the intervention group, particularly in TUG performance (p < 0.001), lower limb strength (p < 0.001), and flexibility (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced mobility and reduced fall risk. These findings reinforce the importance of structured, multicomponent training programs for aging populations, particularly women, who experience greater musculoskeletal decline due to menopause-related hormonal changes. Future research should explore long-term retention of benefits and optimize intervention strategies. This study highlights the critical role of tailored exercise programs in promoting active aging, improving functional capacity, and reducing healthcare burdens associated with fall-related injuries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity for Preventing and Managing Falls in Older Adults)
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Review

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21 pages, 1162 KB  
Review
The Effects of Exercise Intervention in Older Adults With and Without Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review
by Jeremy Cabrolier-Molina, Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez and Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez
Sports 2025, 13(5), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13050152 - 19 May 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 12056
Abstract
This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024619693), aimed to evaluate the effects of physical exercise interventions on muscle function and fall risk in older adults with and without sarcopenia. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed [...] Read more.
This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024619693), aimed to evaluate the effects of physical exercise interventions on muscle function and fall risk in older adults with and without sarcopenia. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed and Web of Science databases identified 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2015 and 2025. A total of 792 participants (mean age 75.13 ± 4.71 years; 65.53% women, 34.47% men) were included. Interventions varied in type—strength, balance, aerobic, and multi-component programs—with a minimum duration of 8 weeks. Results: The reviewed studies showed that physical exercise interventions significantly improved neuromuscular function, physical performance, and postural control in older adults. Positive effects were observed in gait speed, stair-climbing ability, grip strength, muscle mass, and bone density. Specific modalities such as Tai Chi improved postural control and neuromuscular response; dynamic resistance and functional training increased muscle strength and improved posture; Nordic walking reduced postural sway; and multi-component and combined walking-resistance training enhanced mobility and force efficiency. Programs integrating strength and balance components yielded the most consistent benefits. However, reporting on FITT (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type) principles was limited across studies. Conclusions: Exercise interventions are effective in improving neuromuscular outcomes and reducing fall risk in older adults, both with and without sarcopenia. The findings support the need for tailored, well-structured programs and greater methodological standardization in future research to facilitate broader clinical application and maximize health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity for Preventing and Managing Falls in Older Adults)
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