{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,31]],"date-time":"2026-10-31T21:46:50Z","timestamp":1793483210489,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":32,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,14]],"date-time":"2025-12-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1765670400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Approximately one quarter of community-dwelling older adults experience at least one fall each year. Falls can result in soft tissue injuries, fractures, or even death. Given this high prevalence, it is essential to identify fall-related risk factors, develop predictive models, and prescribe effective exercise-based interventions to prevent falls. Objective: To analyze risk factors, predictors, and therapeutic interventions for falls in older adults. Methods: A literature search was conducted in SCIELO, PUBMED, and PEDro databases between 15\u201320 October 2025. Inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed, open-access studies in English published from 2020 onward. Findings were categorized into three domains: (1) fall risk factors, (2) predictive models, and (3) exercise-based interventions. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Falls among older adults arise from multifactorial interactions involving physical, clinical, cognitive, and social factors such as impaired mobility, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and cognitive decline. Lower-limb strength and functional performance are key determinants of fall risk. Current predictive models show limited accuracy, with fall history as the strongest predictor. Exercise-based interventions, particularly multicomponent and home-based programs, improve balance, strength, and mobility but show variable effects on fall rates. The absence of standardized parameters for exercise prescription limits the development of evidence-based guidelines. Conclusions: Falls in older adults are multifactorial events influenced by physical and cognitive decline. Predictive models remain imprecise, and although exercise interventions improve functional outcomes, their impact on reducing falls is inconsistent. Standardized exercise protocols are needed to optimize fall prevention strategies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph22121863","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,15]],"date-time":"2025-12-15T10:11:23Z","timestamp":1765793483000},"page":"1863","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["What to Know About Falls in Older Adults? Risk Factors, Predictors, and Therapeutic Interventions"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"22","author":[{"given":"Fernanda Bueno","family":"Pilastri","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Philosophy and Science, S\u00e3o Paulo State University, S\u00e3o Paulo 17525-900, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Julia Fantim","family":"Lopez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Philosophy and Science, S\u00e3o Paulo State University, S\u00e3o Paulo 17525-900, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Eric Nkansah","family":"Boateng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Enginnering, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar 144411, India"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4977-4755","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nise Ribeiro","family":"Marques","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Philosophy and Science, S\u00e3o Paulo State University, S\u00e3o Paulo 17525-900, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,14]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"379","DOI":"10.5770\/cgj.24.521","article-title":"Fear of Falling in Older Adults: A Scoping Review of Recent Literature","volume":"24","author":"MacKay","year":"2021","journal-title":"Can. Geriatr. J."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"334","DOI":"10.1186\/s13018-022-03222-1","article-title":"Global prevalence of falls in the older adults: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"17","author":"Salari","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Surg. Res."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"885","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2019-101512","article-title":"Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community: An abridged Cochrane systematic review","volume":"54","author":"Sherrington","year":"2020","journal-title":"Br. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"714","DOI":"10.14336\/AD.2024.0124-1","article-title":"Age-Related Dysfunction in Balance: A Comprehensive Review of Causes, Consequences, and Interventions","volume":"16","author":"Wang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Aging Dis."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zhu, R.T., Zuo, J.J., Li, K.J., Lam, F.M.H., Wong, A.Y.L., Yang, L., Bai, X., Wong, M.S., Kwok, T., and Zheng, Y.P. (2025). Association of lower-limb strength with different fall histories or prospective falls in community-dwelling older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr., 25.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12877-025-05685-3"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1186\/s41512-025-00190-y","article-title":"A scoping review of machine learning models to predict risk of falls in elders, without using sensor data","volume":"9","author":"Capodici","year":"2025","journal-title":"Diagn. Progn. Res."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1080\/1364557032000119616","article-title":"Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework","volume":"8","author":"Arksey","year":"2005","journal-title":"Int. J. Soc. Res. Methodol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Peters, M.D.J., Godfrey, C., McInerney, P., Munn, Z., Tricco, A.C., and Khalil, H. (2020). Chapter 11: Scoping reviews. JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, Joanna Briggs Institute.","DOI":"10.46658\/JBIRM-20-01"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105765","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jamda.2025.105765","article-title":"Risk Factors for Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Umbrella Review","volume":"26","author":"Saunders","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Am. Med. Dir. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Xu, Q., Ou, X., and Li, J. (2022). The risk of falls among the aging population: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Public Health, 10.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.902599"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104940","DOI":"10.1016\/j.archger.2023.104940","article-title":"Factors associated with falls in older adults: A secondary analysis of a 12-month randomized controlled trial","volume":"108","author":"Hsieh","year":"2023","journal-title":"Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105638","DOI":"10.1016\/j.archger.2024.105638","article-title":"Cognitive functioning and falls in older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"128","author":"Sturnieks","year":"2025","journal-title":"Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jiang, Y., Wang, M., Liu, S., Ya, X., Duan, G., and Wang, Z. (2022). The association between sedentary behavior and falls in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Public Health, 10.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.1019551"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2459818","DOI":"10.1080\/07853890.2025.2459818","article-title":"Home-based strength and balance exercises for fall prevention among older individuals of advanced age: A randomized controlled single-blind study","volume":"57","author":"Zhou","year":"2025","journal-title":"Ann. Med."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e044170","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2020-044170","article-title":"Predicting falls in community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review of prognostic models","volume":"11","author":"Gade","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ Open"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wapp, C., Mittaz Hager, A.G., Rikkonen, T., Hilfiker, R., Biver, E., Ferrari, S., Kr\u00f6ger, H., Zwahlen, M., and Zysset, P. (2024). Validation of a fall rate prediction model for community-dwelling older adults: A combined analysis of three cohorts with 1850 participants. BMC Geriatr., 24.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12877-024-04811-x"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2020.06.003","article-title":"Exercise interventions for older adults: A systematic review of meta-analyses","volume":"10","author":"Long","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Sport. Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kasicki, K., Piskorz, E.K., Rydzik, \u0141., Ambro\u017cy, T., Ceranowicz, P., and B\u0142ach, W. (2025). A systematic review of multicomponent vs. single-component training programs for fall prevention in older adults. Front. Public Health, 13.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1636439"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1201","DOI":"10.2217\/cer-2022-0130","article-title":"Effect of home-based exercise programs with e-devices on falls among community-dwelling older adults: A meta-analysis","volume":"11","author":"Cao","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Comp. Eff. Res."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"164","DOI":"10.1186\/s12984-021-00917-0","article-title":"Comparison between the effects of exergame intervention and traditional physical training on improving balance and fall prevention in healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"18","author":"Chen","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Neuroeng. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Siev\u00e4nen, H., Piirtola, M., Tokola, K., Kulmala, T., Tiirikainen, E., Kannus, P., Kiiski, J., Uusi-Rasi, K., and Karinkanta, S. (2024). Effect of 10-Week Whole-Body Vibration Training on Falls and Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial with 1-Year Follow-Up. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 21.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph21070866"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"afad059","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afad059","article-title":"Effectiveness of exercise on fall prevention in community-dwelling older adults: A 2-year randomized controlled study of 914 women","volume":"52","author":"Raikkonen","year":"2023","journal-title":"Age Ageing"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e238422","DOI":"10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2023.8422","article-title":"Effect of Treadmill Perturbation-Based Balance Training on Fall Rates in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial","volume":"6","author":"Andersen","year":"2023","journal-title":"JAMA Netw. Open"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"163","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physio.2021.05.008","article-title":"Pilates improves physical performance and decreases risk of falls in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"112","year":"2021","journal-title":"Physiotherapy"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1557","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afab110","article-title":"Efficacy of exercise-based interventions in preventing falls among community-dwelling older persons with cognitive impairment: Is there enough evidence? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"50","author":"Li","year":"2021","journal-title":"Age Ageing"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"D\u0142ugosz-Bo\u015b, M., Filar-Mierzwa, K., Stawarz, R., \u015acis\u0142owska-Czarnecka, A., Jankowicz-Szyma\u0144ska, A., and Bac, A. (2021). Effect of Three Months Pilates Training on Balance and Fall Risk in Older Women. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18073663"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"afaf242","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afaf242","article-title":"Synergistic effects of exercise, cognitive training and vitamin D on gait performance and falls in mild cognitive impairment-secondary outcomes from the SYNERGIC trial","volume":"54","author":"Son","year":"2025","journal-title":"Age Ageing"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"135","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-psych-113011-143750","article-title":"Executive functions","volume":"64","author":"Diamond","year":"2013","journal-title":"Annu. Rev. Psychol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"299","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afs012","article-title":"The role of cognitive impairment in fall risk among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"41","author":"Muir","year":"2012","journal-title":"Age Ageing"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinbiomech.2018.08.006","article-title":"Is it possible to predict falls in older adults using gait kinematics?","volume":"59","author":"Marques","year":"2018","journal-title":"Clin. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1050","DOI":"10.1053\/apmr.2001.24893","article-title":"Gait variability and fall risk in community-living older adults: A 1-year prospective study","volume":"82","author":"Hausdorff","year":"2001","journal-title":"Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"afae186","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afae186","article-title":"Factors influencing older adult community fall prevention exercise implementation: A scoping review","volume":"53","author":"Sibley","year":"2024","journal-title":"Age Ageing"}],"container-title":["International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/22\/12\/1863\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,15]],"date-time":"2025-12-15T10:12:24Z","timestamp":1765793544000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/22\/12\/1863"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,14]]},"references-count":32,"journal-issue":{"issue":"12","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12]]}},"alternative-id":["ijerph22121863"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph22121863","relation":{},"ISSN":["1660-4601"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1660-4601","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,14]]}}}