Safely remaining active

Safely remaining active can be a challenge in older adults when age-related decline of physiological capacity sets in. In the introduction, it is argued that an accurate perception of physical ability is likely necessary to balance the health benefits of physical activity against the exposure to balance threatening situations that inherently comes with being physically active. We also noted that self-perceived ability may not only relate to fall risk through an association with physical activity but that it may also have an effect on people’s performance in situations that may be perceived as balance threatening. The overall aim of the thesis is to explore if the relation between physical ability and falls was modulated by self-perceived ability, potentially mediated through physical activity, in community dwelling older adults. In the thesis results are presented based on the FARAO cohort and the VIBE cohort. The latter was designed specifically to the aim to this thesis. The results of this cohort study are presented and are placed into a larger context.