Exercise prevents falls over the long-term

Risk of Falling was ...
43.3% lower for the resistance-training group,
40.1% lower for the agility-training group and
37.4% lower for the stretching group.

Fear of falling is a valid concern for older adults.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, over one-third of adults ages 65 years and older fall each year.
While exercise can help prevent falls by improving lower body strength and balance,
how long do these benefits last?

Researchers conducted a follow-up of 98 women ages 75 to 85 with osteopenia or osteoporosis
who participated in a 25-week clinical trial of exercise effect on fall risk.
The participants exercised twice a week in a resistance training, agility training or stretching session.
At the end of 25 weeks, all groups lowered their risk of falling and the formal exercise program ended.

To find out the long-term effects,
investigators assessed health and activity status 8 months and 12 months later.
All 3 groups maintained a reduced risk of falling after one year.

Fall risk was 43.3% lower for the resistance-training group,
40.1% lower for the agility-training group and
37.4% lower for the stretching group.

Fifty women continued with formal exercise during the 12 months of follow-up.
These activities included personal training, cardiac rehabilitation and older-adult group exercise.

Why did these women continue to exercise?
"We think it was primarily due to the social interactions and relationships
they experienced during the trial," said co-author Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD.
"Many of them still keep in touch with each other.
As well, I think their self-efficacy also improved-their perception of their own abilities changed."

The team concluded that a 6-month exercise intervention appeared to encourage 
continued physical activity as well as lower risk of falls.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Geriatric Society, 53:1767 (October 2005)