APPLIED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH RECURRENT FALLS IN THE NEW NORMAL ERA

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) To study the effectiveness of applied physical activities for older adults with recurrent falls in the New Normal era, and 2) To compare the effectiveness of these applied physical activities. The research methodology employed a mixed-methods approach, comprising a quantitative study using questionnaires to collect data from 323 older adults in Chiang Mai province analyzed through path analysis and a qualitative study involving focus groups and in-depth interviews. The results revealed that the physical fitness development model focused on balance for fall prevention significantly improved the participants’ average balance scores. Furthermore, the effectiveness in physical performance was evidenced by a faster average “Timed Up and Go” (TUG) rate. Regarding psychological impact, the model successfully led to a significant reduction in the average fear of falling among the elderly, effectively transforming fear into confident strides in the New Normal era. Path analysis further indicated that overall effectiveness is determined by physical and emotional states, verbal persuasion, and vicarious experience (modeling). Specifically, physical and emotional states are influenced by verbal persuasion and modeling, while verbal persuasion itself is fundamentally driven by the use of models.