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Objectives　This study aimed to explore the association of difficulties in activities of daily living (ADL) (activities related to bending, spine extension, standing endurance, and walking) with fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults.Methods　We recruited 642 older adults (men, n=267; women, n=375) aged 65 years and over. The mean age was 72.2±5.1 years. Fear of falling, falls in the previous year, pain (low back pain or knee pain), comorbidity, and cataracts were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. ADL difficulties were assessed individually, such as activities related to bending (getting in or out the car, picking up a lightweight object, putting on socks or stockings, and lifting a 5 kg object from the floor), spine extension (reaching an object above your head), standing endurance (standing on your feet for 2 h), and walking (walking 100 m on a level surface, climbing 10 steps without stopping, and walking down 10 steps). The independent association between fear of falling and each ADL difficulties was assessed using logistic regression analysis.Results　Participants with fear of falling, compared with those without fear of falling, had an older age (74.8 and 71.6 in men, 73.3 and 71.0 in women, respectively; P<0.01), more falls in the previous year (21% and 9% in men, 28% and 11% in women, respectively; P<0.05), pain (80% and 61% in men, 82% and 64% in women, respectively; P<0.01), and comorbidity (23% and 15% in women, respectively; P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified each ADL difficulties except walking 100 m on a level surface as being independently associated with fear of falling after adjusting for age, body mass index, sex, falls in the previous year, pain, and comorbidity.Conclusion　ADL difficulties, such as activities related to bending, spine extension, standing endurance, and walking, except for walking 100 m on a level surface, were associated with fear of falling.

Aim: The purposes of the present study were to investigate risk factors for incident disability in activities of daily living (ADL) among middle-aged and older women, and to determine whether there are differences in risk factors according to age groups., Methods: The participants were 264 Japanese women aged 40 years and older. A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey participants about difficulty in carrying out selected basic and instrumental ADL at baseline and at follow up. ADL disability was defined as difficulty carrying out three or more ADL. Information on knee joint or back pain and comorbidities (heart disease, lung disease, stroke or diabetes mellitus) was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire at baseline. Physical performance measurements (grip strength, chair stand time, rapid walking speed and functional reach) were also carried out at baseline., Results: The prevalence of incident ADL disability was 44 (27.5%) in women aged 40-64 years, and 57 (54.8%) in women aged ≥65 years (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that decreased grip strength and having pain were significantly associated with a higher risk for incident ADL disability among women aged 40-64 years. For women aged ≥65 years, decreased rapid walking speed, having a comorbidity and having pain were associated with incident ADL disability., Conclusions: The present study showed that a different set of risk factors was associated with incident ADL disability among women aged 40-64 years and women aged ≥65 years. Age-specific screening and intervention strategies are necessary for effective prevention of incident ADL disability. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1096-1101., (© 2016 Japan Geriatrics Society.)