Relationship between functional limitations due to subjective cognitive decline and falling focusing exercise intensity: Results from the Korean Community Health Survey

BACKGROUND: To explore the association between functional limitation due to subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and falling by focusing on exercise intensity in the Korean population aged 45 years and older. STUDY DESIGN: The 2019 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) was used to analyze 35,387 people by applying individual weights imposed from the raw data. METHODS: To analyze the association between functional limitation due to SCD and falling in the Korean population aged 45 years and older, weighted logistic regression analysis and weighted zero-inflated Poisson regression analysis were used. RESULTS: In both the middle-aged group and the older adult group, the functional limitation due to SCD had a higher fall experience rate and more falls than the non-functional limitation due to SCD group. Additionally, the middle-aged group and the moderate or vigorous physical exercise (MVPE) group had a higher fall experience rate and number of falls than the non-MVPE group; however, the older adult group walking regularly and performing MVPE had a lower fall experience rate and number of falls than the non-exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: Active participation in exercise is encouraged and should lead to fewer falls in older adults. Furthermore, a group with functional limitations due to SCD should be provided with exercise guidelines and a community program and facilities that enable regular participation should be developed.