The multi-component exercise intervention composed by strength , endurance and balance training seems to be the best strategy to improve rate of falls , gait ability , balance , and strength performance in physically frail older adults
The aim of this review was to recommend training strategies that improve the functional capacity in physically frail older adults based on scientific literature , focusing specially in supervised exercise programs that improved muscle strength , fall risk , balance , and gait ability .
Effectiveness of tai chi as a community-based falls prevention intervention: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness of tai chi and low-level exercise in reducing  falls in older adults ; to determine whether mobility , balance , and lower limb strength improved and whether higher doses of tai chi result ed in greater effect . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING Eleven sites throughout New Zeal and . PARTICIPANTS Six hundred eighty-four community-residing older adults ( mean age 74.5 ; 73 % female ) with at least one falls risk factor . INTERVENTION Tai chi once a week ( TC1 ) ( n = 233 ) ; tai chi twice a week ( TC2 ) ( n = 220 ) , or a low-level exercise program control group ( LLE ) ( n = 231 ) for 20 wks . MEASUREMENTS Number of falls was ascertained according to monthly falls calendars . Mobility ( Timed-Up- and -Go Test ) , balance ( step test ) , and lower limb strength ( chair st and test ) were assessed . RESULTS The adjusted incident rate ratio ( IRR ) for falls was not significantly different between the TC1 and LLE groups ( IRR = 1.05 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) = 0.83 - 1.33 , P = .70 ) or between the TC2 and LLE groups ( IRR = 0.88 , 95 % CI = 0.68 - 1.16 , P = .37 ) . Adjusted multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression showed a significant reduction in logarithmic mean fall rate of -0.050 ( 95 % CI = -0.064 to -0.037 , P < .001 ) per month for all groups . Multilevel fixed-effects analyses indicated improvements in balance ( P < .001 right and left leg ) and lower limb strength ( P < .001 ) but not mobility ( P = .54 ) in all groups over time , with no differences between the groups ( P = .37 ( right leg ) , P = .66 ( left leg ) , P = .21 , and P = .44 , respectively ) . CONCLUSION There was no difference in falls rates between the groups , with falls reducing similarly ( mean falls rate reduction of 58 % ) over the 17-month follow-up period . Strength and balance improved similarly in all groups over time
The multi-component exercise intervention composed by strength , endurance and balance training seems to be the best strategy to improve rate of falls , gait ability , balance , and strength performance in physically frail older adults
The aim of this review was to recommend training strategies that improve the functional capacity in physically frail older adults based on scientific literature , focusing specially in supervised exercise programs that improved muscle strength , fall risk , balance , and gait ability .