Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (26): 5662-5672.doi: 10.12307/2025.740

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Effectiveness of different exercise regimens to reduce fall risks in older adults: a Meta-analysis

Zhu Tianrui, Shi Jipeng, Sun Jiahe, Wang Luyi, Zhang Chen, Xu Hongqi, Quan Helong   

  1. Research Center of Exercise Capacity Assessment and Promotion, School of Physical Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin Province, China
  • Received:2024-09-14 Accepted:2024-11-04 Online:2025-09-18 Published:2025-02-28
  • Contact: Shi Jipeng, PhD, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, Research Center of Exercise Capacity Assessment and Promotion, School of Physical Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin Province, China
  • About author:Zhu Tianrui, Master’s candidate, Research Center of Exercise Capacity Assessment and Promotion, School of Physical Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Social Science Foundation of China, No. 22BTY075 (to XHQ)

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Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of different exercise regimens to reduce fall risks in older adults. 
METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, WanFang, and CNKI were searched for studies about exercise interventions on fall risk in healthy older adult individuals at the age of 60 years and above. The search timeframe should cover from the inception of each database to July 2023. Quality assessment and risk-of-bias were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were conducted using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 16.0. 
RESULTS: A total of 45 papers containing 54 studies with 3 074 participants were included in the analysis. Overall, exercise intervention can improve the interventional effects on balance (the unipedal stance test with eyes open, functional reach, Timed “Up & Go”, and Berg balance scale), lower limb muscle strength (30-second chair-stand test, Five-Times Sit-To-Stand Test, and Short Physical Performance Battery), and fall-efficacy (Falls Efficacy Scale-International), leading to reduced fall risk (P < 0.05). The Meta-analysis results revealed a dosage effect of different exercise regimens to reduce fall risk in the elderly. Mind-body exercise could efficiently increase scores of the unipedal stance test [mean difference (MD)=6.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) (2.17, 11.44), P < 0.01]; resistance exercise could efficiently increase the scores of the Timed “Up & Go” [MD=-3.12, 95%CI (-5.72, -0.52), P < 0.05] and the 30-second chair-stand test [MD=1.22, 95%CI (0.37, 2.08), P < 0.01]; and multicomponent physical activity could efficiently increase the scores of functional reach [MD=4.50, 95%CI (2.58, 6.42), P < 0.01], Berg Balance Scale [MD=1.05, 95%CI (0.39, 1.71), P < 0.01], Five-Times Sit-To-stand Test [MD=-3.15, 95%CI (-4.80, -1.50), P < 0.01], Short Physical Performance Battery [MD=0.55, 95%CI (0.37, 0.74), P < 0.01], and Falls Efficacy Scale-International [MD=-0.41, 95%CI (0.69, -0.13), P < 0.01]. 
Conclusion: Exercise interventions can effectively improve balance, enhance limb strength and functional ability, and reduce fear of falling, and lower the risk of falls in older adults. The components of different intervention programs (such as type of exercise, duration, frequency, and session length) have varying dose-response relationships with the results of fall risk screening tests in older adults.

Key words: fall risk, elderly, exercise intervention, Meta-analysis, balance, lower limb muscle strength, fall-efficacy, dosage effect

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