Falls Prevention and Exercise

Falls Prevention and Exercise

Fall Prevention is one of the most important training aspects for older adults and those with conditions where balance may become an issue. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury, disability and loss of independence.

"Falls where the leading cause of injury hospitalisations in Australia in 2023/24" (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)

At MV Fit's Melbourne Clinic and Gym you can work with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who can provide a safe environment to help you reduce your fall risk. We will do this by creating an individualised program that supports your health needs such as improving your muscle strength, mobility, confidence and balance, all reducing your risks of falls.

Fall Prevention - What Can You Do

Current guidelines recommend that supervised, structured exercise is a key part of improving your fall risk. Exercise Physiologists are the experts in personalised fall prevention exercise and recommend incorporating these training methods to help improve your balance. 

• Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) - lifting progressively heavier loads (free weights, machines, resistance bands) improves muscles strength providing you more joints with more stability and allows for quicker and stronger reactions to unexpected slips. 
• Balance & functional movement - Single-leg/dynamic balance exercises and core stability work to reduce falls and improves mobility.

Our university-qualified Exercise Physiologists assess your medical history and balance levels, to create you a personalised training program today.

Risk factors for falls include:

• Older age
• Poor balance
• History of falls
• Poor eyesight
• Slow reaction time
• Limitations in activity of daily living
• Muscle weakness
• Some medications that affect the brain activity

How does exercise prevent falls?

We know from clinical research that exercise prevents falls in older people, by decreasing the number of key risk factors. Exercise improves balance and proprioception (feedback) from joints to the brain, it can improve muscular strength, balance confidence and walking speed as well as psychological factors and mood.

However the benefits of exercise in frailer people are less certain and multi-faceted interventions may be necessary for fall prevention in this group.

What is the best kind of exercise to prevent falls?

Exercise should include balance training performed regularly and ongoing. Good balance exercises involve controlled body movements while standing with the feet close together with little arm support.

The exercises will be safe for the patient, but they will be challenging to ensure balance and muscular strength improves. Some exercises you can even take home and perform them away from the clinical setting to allow continued improvement.

Who would benefit from Fall Prevention Programs at MVFIT :

• Are over the age of 50 and feeling less steady on your feet
• Have experienced a fall or near fall in the past year
• Have reduced strength, poor balance, or limited mobility
• Live with a neurological condition (e.g., Parkinson’s, Stroke, MS)
• Use a walking aid (stick, frame, walker)
• Feel nervous or fearful about walking outdoors or at home

Need More Information? Call our clinic (03)9996-0790 or view further web resources below.

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