The Beneficial Effects of Group-Based Exercises on Fall Risk Profile and Physical Activity Persist One-Year Post-Intervention in Older Women with Low Bone Mass: Follow-up After Withdrawal of Exercise

OBJECTIVE—To determine whether exercise-induced reductions in fall risk are maintained in older women one year following the cessation of three types of interventions – resistance training, agility training, and general stretching. DESIGN—One-year observational study. PARTICIPANTS—98 women aged 75–85 years with low bone mass. MEASUREMENTS—Primary outcome measure was fall risk as measured by the Physiological Profile Assessment tool. Secondary outcome measures were current physical activity level as assessed by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and formal exercise participation as assessed by interview. RESULTS—At the end of the follow-up, the fall risk among former participants of all three exercise programs was maintained (i.e., still reduced) from trial completion. Mean fall risk value at the end of follow-up was 43.3 % reduced compared with the mean baseline value among former participants of the Resistance Training group, 40.1 % reduced in the Agility Training group, an