An important cause of bone fractures and a major health issue in the elderly people is falling. The aim of study was to determine association quadriceps muscle strength (QMS) with falling and the prevalence of falls in the elderly subjects.

All participants of the Amirkola Cohort Study entered the study. Data regarding demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory examinations were provided from the database. Occurrence of falls during previous year was determined by interview and review of medical records. The QMS was determined by dynamometry method. The participants were classified according to QMS values to high, moderate and low groups (QMS values>30, 15–30, and<15kg, respectively). Prevalence of falls in moderate and low QMS groups was compared. Multiple logistic regression with calculation of odds ratio (OR) was used for association.

A total 1028 patients and controls with respective with mean age of 69.8±7.7 vs. 67.9±7.7 years old (P=0.001) were analyzed and 178 (17.3%) patients experienced fall. Individuals with falls had higher age (P=0.001) and lower QMS value (P=0.001). After adjustment for all clinical and demographic variables the association of falls remained at significant levels only for QMS and age>70 years. Occurrence of fall was independently associated with QMS with a negative dose-response pattern of relationship. Compared with high QMS, prevalence of fall increased by 2.18 (95% CI: 1.22–3.42) in moderate group and by 3 (95% CI: 1.78–5.05) in low QMS group.

These findings indicate that occurrence of falls in older adults are negatively associated with QMS and positively with age>70 years. These issues suggest a beneficial effect for muscle strengthening exercise.