Evaluating fall prevention, physical activity, and functional status in older adults
People over 65 who followed the fall prevention program In Balans fall slightly less often, but whether that is due to the program is not yet certain. What is certain is that effective prevention stands or falls with prolonged exercise, says Maaike van Gameren.
"Older people who fall are at risk of serious injuries, loss of independence and high healthcare costs," says Van Gameren. "With the current aging population and high pressure on healthcare, fall prevention, i.e. the prevention of falls, is more topical than ever. Fall prevention programs allow older people to stay healthy and independent for longer. There are several such programs, but we don't yet know how (cost) effective they are and how they can be implemented optimally."
In Balance
One such program is In Balance. Van Gameren investigated its effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and sustainable implementation, and she looked at links between falls, physical activity and functional status of older people who followed the program.
"For this study, we followed 264 participants at multiple locations in the Netherlands. They were randomly divided into two groups: the In Balance group and the control group. Participants of In Balans followed the fall prevention program In Balans in a group for 14 weeks. Participants in the control group did not receive a fall prevention program, but received written advice on exercise.
"We kept track of how often participants from both groups fell and whether they were injured in the process. In addition we investigated other effects, such as improvements in balance, strength, mobility and general well-being. By comparing this data, we gained insight into the impact of In Balance on the prevention of falls and the broader benefits of the program. We also compared the social costs of both groups."
'Keep training for long-term effects'
"Participants and trainers were positive about In balance. But although participants fell less often and had fewer fall injuries than with general exercise advice, the differences are not big enough to attribute this to the program with certainty. In any case, my results show that following the program once is not enough for lasting protection. For long-term effects, it is important to continue to train strength and balance regularly."
More information on the thesis