Efectividad de los programas de ejercicio funcional para reducir el riesgo de caídas en adultos mayores: revisión sistemática

Vanessa Elizabeth Ortiz-Franco; Joselyn Maribel Guama-Suque; María Luisa Gutiérrez-Pérez; Alex Omar Pérez-Cunalata

Authors

Ortiz-Franco Vanessa Elizabeth Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1333-1042
Guama-Suque Joselyn Maribel Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7650-4051
Gutiérrez-Pérez María Luisa Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5068-8234
Pérez-Cunalata Alex Omar Docente del Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9188-7067

Keywords:

aged; accidental falls; functional exercise; postural balance; muscle strength; physical therapy specialty

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/gt.v9i18edespsep.0434

Abstract

Introduction. Falls in older adults represent a priority public health problem due to their impact on loss of autonomy, morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Objective. To determine the effectiveness of functional exercise programs in reducing the risk and incidence of falls and improving balance, mobility, and lower limb strength in older adults. Methods. A systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted following PRISMA 2020 and SWiM guidelines. The literature search was performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, PEDro, CINAHL, and LILACS for publications between 2021 and 2026. Randomized clinical trials and experimental studies evaluating functional exercise, balance, or strength interventions in older adults were included. Methodological quality was assessed using RoB 2 and Newcastle-Ottawa tools. This systematic review did not have a previously registered protocol in PROSPERO or OSF. Results. A total of 49 primary studies with clinical outcomes were included after excluding one study protocol and 69 studies for other methodological reasons. Multicomponent programs and perturbation training demonstrated reductions in the annual fall rate ranging from 14% to 44%, along with improvements in balance and mobility tests (BBS, TUG, SPPB) and functional lower limb strength (30-s CST). Conclusions. Functional exercise is a first-line intervention to reduce fall rates and optimize postural control and strength in older adults, although the magnitude of effect varies according to intervention modality and supervision level.

Keywords: aged; accidental falls; functional exercise; postural balance; muscle strength; physical therapy specialty.

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