Kuopio Fall Prevention Study.

In 2016, a 2-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be launched to investigate the effect of exercise on fall risk, injuries and subjective well-being (SWB) in aging women (n=1078) by using municipal sport services in cooperation with the city of Kuopio. The effect of the exercise intervention on functional capacity, muscle strength, bone, body composition, cognitive function, the use of health services and its cost effectiveness will also be studied. The trial will be carried out on women belonging to the Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention (OSTPRE) Study, which is an ongoing population-based prospective cohort study, with a follow-up of 26 years. It investigates life style factors associated with fractures falls, bone mineral density and morbidity in a target population of 14 220 women, now aged between 75-84 year. The study combines combination of a 2-year fall prevention trial with the 26 years of life style and medical data from the previous OSTPRE follow up to provide meaningful answers whether municipal exercise program can provide cost effective health gain in elderly. In addition, the study aims to answer, who will benefit from the exercise the most and what are the underlying factors explaining efficacy in the women's previous 26 years of lifestyle and medical history. The study will help to develop strategies for societal fall prevention.