Aging and health – Welmer's research group

We study health in older adults, with special focus on physical function, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and injurious falls.

Part of the:

Research focus

We study health in older adults, with special focus on physical function, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and injurious falls. Our research combines clinical studies (interventions, qualitative studies, and implementation research) with large population-based studies.

Our goals are to increase knowledge regarding:

  • Determinants and consequences of disability, physical inactivity, and injurious falls in older adults  
  • The effect of physical exercise interventions on functioning and health in old age
  • Implementation of evidence-based methods in clinical practice

Read more about our research projects under the "Projects" tab. 

Illustration Anna-Karin Welmers grupp.

Collaborations

We have ongoing collaboration with researchers at the following universities:

  • University of Ferrara, Italy. 
  • Radboudumc, the Netherlands
  • Erasmus MC Rotterdam, the Netherlands
  • University College London, UK
  • Lund University, Sweden
  • Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden
  • Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research, Spain
  • Maynooth University, Ireland

News and activities

Publications

Selected publications

Funding

Grants

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Visiting address

Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Alfred Nobels allé 23, B3, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden

Postal address

Karolinska Institutet, Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy 23100, Huddinge, SE-141 83, Sweden

Projects

PREV_FUNC: Preventing functional decline in acutely hospitalized older patients

Focus: Adults ≥75 years from geriatric wards in three Stockholm hospitals.

  • Three-armed randomized controlled trial testing two multicomponent exercise programs on physical function. 
  • Qualitative studies exploring experiences of patients and healthcare professionals.

Publication:

Study protocol for the 'preventing functional decline in acutely hospitalised older patients (PREV_FUNC)' study: effects of two multicomponent exercise programmes on physical function - a three-armed randomised controlled trial.
Welmer AK, Sandberg L, Sandlund C, Björck C, Hagströmer M, Hamilton J, Helgstrand G, Lindgren C, Nordstrand L, Sandstedt P, Kivipelto M, Boström AM
BMJ Open 2023 Aug;13(8):e070885

Dance for health – a feasibility study of a dance-based intervention to improve physical function and quality of life in geriatric outpatients ≥65 years 

Focus: Adults ≥65 years attending geriatric outpatient clinics.

  • 10-week, weekly group dance intervention based on the Dance for Parkinson’s method. 
  • Evaluates feasibility, effects on physical function, and quality of life. 

Harmful sitting in old age—using epidemiological and qualitative approaches to tailor future interventions

  • Quantifies associations between movement behaviours (e.g., step count, sitting time) and outcomes like mortality, health changes, and falls. 
  • Explores older adults’ perceptions of factors influencing sitting and physical activity. 

Identifying older adults at risk for falls: from observation to implementation

  • Investigates risk factors for injurious falls. 
  • Tests a falls screening tool in primary care and memory clinics. 
  • Develops predictive models and explores implementation requirements. 

Student engagement in doctoral education

  • Studies active pedagogical methods in doctoral courses. 
  • Explores experiences of both students and teachers.
Keywords:
Accidental Falls Aging Epidemiology Exercise Geriatrics Show all
Content reviewer:
Anna-Karin Welmer
Kathrin Dellblad
04-09-2025