Fall prevention exercise programs are becoming increasingly popular. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of strength and balance exercises in reducing the risk of falls in older adults. National organizations such as the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend a multi-factoral approach to fall prevention because of the numerous risk factors. Approximately 1/3 of older adults sustain falls every year in the United States, costing over $19 billion in healthcare costs.

Physical therapist researchers at Cal State University Northridge performed a study to determine the effectiveness of a balance exercise training program on strength, balance, gait, and fall risk in 23 healthy community-dwelling older adults at risk for falls. Subjects were randomly assigned to an exercise group or non-exercising control group. The exercise group performed a small group-based balance program, “A Matter of Balance” for 12 weeks, three times a week in a class setting at the PT department.

According to the authors, the exercises included balance exercises standing on foam surfaces and balance boards, as well as squats with an exercise ball. Interestingly, there was no resistive strengthening component in their description of the exercise program, although the original “A Matter of Balance” program developed at Boston University  did use Thera-Band® resistive bands.

After the training program, the exercise group significantly improved lower extremity strength, improved their balance and functional mobility, and reduced their incidence of falls compared to the control group. The results of this program are promising, but more research is needed on larger sample sizes, as well as a cost-benefit analysis.

Simple balance training devices such as Thera-Band® Stability Trainers, balance boards, and exercise balls can be helpful at reducing falls and improving function in older adults.

Visit the Fall Prevention Center at Thera-Band Academy

 Beling J, Roller M. Multifactorial intervention with balance training as a core component among fall-prone older adults. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2009;32(3):125-33.

Related posts:

  1. Thera-Band® exercise helps improve bone density and reduce falls in osteoporosis
  2. Simple Exercises to Prevent Falls
  3. Balance Training Reduces Ankle Re-Injury
  4. Training program improves throwing accuracy in baseball players
  5. First Step to Active Health® effective for both group- and home-based programs