WHY IT MATTERS
At least a third of Australians aged 65 and over fall every year, and falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and hospital stays in that group. After a fall, an older person is more than three times as likely to move into a nursing home — more than ten times if the fall caused an injury. Falls also cost confidence, activity and independence.
HOW EXERCISE HELPS
Training improves muscle strength, balance, confidence in your balance and walking speed, plus mood and mental sharpness — the risk factors behind most falls.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Balance tasks are the focus, not an add-on
- Walking or strength programs on their own do not appear to prevent falls
- At least two hours a week, for six months or more, works better than smaller doses
- Some harder balance work needs supervision
WHAT WORKS
- Controlled movement while standing with feet close together, or on one leg, with as little arm support as is safe
- Work that genuinely challenges balance while building strength
- Tai chi or water-based exercise as effective community options
SOURCE AND CREDIT
This page is our plain-English summary of a guide produced by Exercise Right. Published by Exercise Right, an initiative of Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA). All credit for the original material belongs to them. We link to their file rather than hosting a copy, so you always get the current version.
These summaries are general education, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or an Accredited Exercise Physiologist about your own body and conditions.