Exercise and balance exercises can prevent falls and fractures
Strength and balance exercises and boosting activity levels in general reduces the risk of breaking a bone after a fall if you are over 60 years old, experts highlight.
Falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries in older people, but a new campaign launched by experts from across Europe says that they should not just be written off as an unavoidable consequence of ageing. Falls cost the NHS £2.3billion a year and around a third of people over-65 and half of those over 80 years fall every year. Research shows that exercise can significantly reduce falls risk.
So the British Geriatrics Society and the ProFouND network are advising people over the age of 60 years to increase their exercise to reduce the risk of potentially fatal trips and falls. ProFouND is training exercise coaches across Europe to deliver training in their local regions and extend exercise programmes to reach 84,000 older people by 2016.
Those at particular risk of falling are older people who have a history of falls, who take four or more medications, have problems walking or use a walking aid and those who have conditions such as arthritis, previous stroke, Parkinson’s disease or dementia. A fear of falling, problems with continence, poor vision or strength and balance problems also increase the risk.
“The golden rule to prevent falls and strengthen bones is to work on strength and balance,” says Prof Tahir Masud, from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. “Exercising to help prevent falls is something that anyone can do, usually in their own home.
“We would usually recommend someone with a history of falls or who has not been very active to visit their GP for prescribed exercises, which can start at their particular level of ability and be built up as they get stronger. This could involve Tai Chi, squats to strengthen leg muscles, or standing on one leg to practice balancing.
“Many people wrongly think that falls are just a part of ageing. This is not true at all: exercise will make you less likely to fall.”
Image credit: credit Neha Gothe
