A prospective analysis of falls in Parkinson’s Disease: Does physical capacity moderate the relationship between walking amount and falls rates?

Falls are a significant concern for people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP), often leading to restriction of walking activities to avoid situations where falls may occur. However, limited research has explored the relationship between walking amount (i.e. daily steps) and falls, particularly how this relationship may be influenced by physical capacity (i.e. gait speed). This study aimed to address that gap. Results indicate that higher daily step counts were associated with higher fall rates in PwP with moderate physical capacity, and lower fall rates in those with high capacity. The relationship between walking and fall rates was moderated by physical capacity.