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 .
Intense tai chi exercise training and fall occurrences in older, transitionally frail adults: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVES To determine whether an intense tai chi ( TC ) exercise program could reduce the risk of falls more than a wellness education ( WE ) program in older adults meeting criteria for transitioning to frailty . DESIGN R and omized , controlled trial of 48 weeks duration . SETTING Twenty congregate living facilities in the greater Atlanta area . PARTICIPANTS Sample of 291 women and 20 men aged 70 to 97 . MEASUREMENTS Demographics , time to first fall and all subsequent falls , functional measures , Sickness Impact Profile , Centers for Epidemiologic Studies -Depression Scale , Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale , Falls Efficacy Scales , and adherence to interventions . RESULTS The risk ratio ( RR ) of falling was not statistically different in the TC group and the WE group ( RR=0.75 , 95 % confidence interval (CI)=0.52 - 1.08 ) , P=.13 ) . Over the 48 weeks of intervention , 46 % ( n=132 ) of the participants did not fall ; the percentage of participants that fell at least once was 47.6 % for the TC group and 60.3 % for the WE group . CONCLUSION TC did not reduce the RR of falling in transitionally frail , older adults , but the direction of effect observed in this study , together with positive findings seen previously in more-robust older adults , suggests that TC may be clinical ly important and should be evaluated further in this high-risk population
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 .