## 2 Materials and Methods
### Measurement Outcomes  
Both groups were assessed 3 times--at baseline, in the middle of the program, and the week following the end of the program (baseline, 6 th, and 13 th week)--for the primary measurement outcomes of: balance, gait, fear of falling, and cognitive function. Baseline assessment also included a record of the anthropometrics characteristics, and a self-reported questionnaire to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and medical history.  
Balance was measured with the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (mini-BESTest), which consists of activities that assess preventive posture adjustments, reactive posture control, sensory orientation, and dynamic gait, and it has proven to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing balance [35; 36; 37]. Score range 0-2, with \"0\" corresponding to the lowest and \"2\" to the highest operating level, respectively [35].  
Gait was assessed with the Functional Gait Assessment scale (FGA) and the Timed Up and Go test. The FGA is a ten-point valid and reliable test that examines gait under various situations (i.e., eyes closed, head turns, over obstacles, backwards gait, etc.) [38; 39]. The maximum score is 30 and a score less than 19 indicates a risk of falling [38]. The Timed Up and Go test is a measure that provides qualitative but also quantitative characteristics of gait and it is used worldwide to assess static and dynamic balance and gait [40].  
The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) was used to assess fear of falling. The FES-I questionnaire, consisting of 16 items, examines participants' perception of their concern about falling during daily activities inside and outside the home [41]. The maximum score is 64 with each item to be scored from 1 to 4, with \"1\" indicating no concern and \"4\" indicating high anxiety [42].  
Mini--Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were used to assess the cognitive function. The MMSE was used only at baseline for the screening process, while MoCA used in all 3 assessments. MMSE is one of the most widely used scales for assessing mental state [43]. The total maximum score is 30 and score below 24 suggests mental deficits [44]. The MoCA scale exhibits high reliability and validity for identifying cognitive deficits in individuals with mild cognitive deficits and in patients with severe depressive disorders [45; 46]. The total score is 30 and the lowest normal score is 26 [47]. The scale is divided into 7 subcategories that include test: audiovisual/executive (0-5 points), name (0-3 points), attention (0-2 points), language (0-3 points), abstract thinking (0-2 units), delayed recall (0-5 units), and orientation (0-6 units) [46].  
Secondary outcomes were the incidence of falls and the adherence to the program.  
Information on fall incidence (number of falls in the last year, number of fall-related injuries, number of emergency home help, and number of hospitalizations) was collected at baseline. Six months following the completion of the program, participants were contacted again to check the number of falls and fall-related injuries as well as where the falls took place.  
Exercise adherence was measured in session attendance during the program and through phone contact 3 months after the completion of the program.  
In the following figure (Figure 1), the time set of the assessment measurements is visualized for the two groups, as well as the number of participants completed the intervention.