Background: This paper identifies the independent predictors of falls in an implementation study of Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance® (TJQMBB) in older adults in rural West Virginia churches.
Methods: Falls and injuries were identified via calendars, questionnaire, and verbal reports.
Results: Fall predictors were gait speed (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.08, 0.90); low back pain (OR 8.04; 95% CI 1.71, 37.79); and pain, stiffness, or swelling limiting activity (OR 2.44; 95% CI 1.09, 5.45).
Conclusions: Determining differences between fallers and non-fallers may identify people with different fall risk profiles and ultimately better tailor fall-prevention programming to individual needs.
Keywords: Tai Chi; Tai Ji Quan; balance; exercise; fall prevention; injuries; physical activity.