Falls Prevention and Exercise
– 35% of Australians over the age of 65 suffer atleast 1 fall each year. These rates increase with people in aged care hospitals and facilities.
– Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death and hospitalisation in these people.
– An older person is 300% more likely to be admitted to a nursing home after a fall than before and
over 1000% more likely after a fall that caused an injury. Falls can result in permanent disability, restriction of activity, loss of independence and a decrease in quality of life.
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?
There is now good evidence that exercise prevents falls in older people, by decreasing the number of key risk factors. Such as exercise can improve 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.
Exercise Physiology will benefit you
Exercise Physiology in Melbourne with an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP). Accreditation as an exercise physiologist is the mark of an experienced and qualified health professional who knows exactly how to help with fall prevention as well as a range of conditions.
Our experienced and skillful Exercise Physiologists at Moonee Valley Health and Fitness achieve the best results possible for our clients by adopting a holistic approach to rehabilitation. Your exercise physiologist will combine clinical exercise prescription with appropriate lifestyle advice to help you regain your quality of life and have you back doing the things you love.
We assist you to achieve and sustain positive health and lifestyle changes through specialist exercise interventions. Our team of Accredited Exercise Physiologists specialise in delivering structured and personalised exercise sessions. The aims of our interventions are to prevent acute or manage subacute or chronic disease or injury, and assist in restoring your optimal physical function, health or wellness.
YES, you can benefit from seeing an Exercise Physiologist
Exercise Physiologist Melbourne
- Moonee Valley Health and Fitness – Exercise Physiology
- Call: (03)9996-0790
- Email: info@mvfit.com.au
- Fax: 03 8692 6715