Exercise means fewer falls for older people – fact – so take action
The evidence about exercise reducing risk of falls in older people is now so strong that plans need to be made and implemented, says research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Reviewers assessed the effects of exercise interventions for preventing falls in people aged 60 years and older. They looked at data from 13,000 adults across 59 studies and found that:
- Exercise reduces the rate of falls by 23%;
- The effect was stronger when the interventions are delivered by a health professional (usually a physiotherapist);
- Balance and functional exercises reduce the rate of falls by 24%;
- Tai chi may reduce the rate of falls by 19%.
The authors of the work suggest that “given the certainty of evidence, effective programmes should now be implemented.”
The Royal Osteoporosis Society has information about exercise and bone health online www.theros.org.uk or via post (tel 0808 800 0035).
Click here to read the original research.
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