Burleigh 07 5535 5218   Broadbeach 07 5539 8830

I’m not as steady as I used to be!

balance and strength

Are you losing confidence walking on uneven surfaces, or feeling unsteady in the shower?

Did you know one of more older Australians living in the community aged 65 and up fall one or more times every year?

There is an increased tendency to fall with advancing age as strength is lost, normal walking gait is changed, and the body’s balance system becomes dulled and slower to respond to sudden movements. Minor injuries are most common but unfortunately there is risk of serious consequences such as hip fracture that can result in disability, loss of mobility, reduced quality of life, and fear of falling again. Loss of confidence can further reduce physical activity, community participation and the ability to live independently.

The good news is specially designed exercise can help prevent falls by improving strength, walking pattern and balance. Importantly, the exercise program needs to be regular, one to two hours a week, and sufficiently challenging within safe limits tailored to the individual. Although active people have fewer falls, simple advice to be more active or simply walking more is not shown to be an effective strategy to reduce falls.

Besides exercise, our tip is other factors that impact balance and falls may need to be addressed with vision such as cataracts and multi focal glasses, pain, some heart problems, hazards around the home, and certain medications that may cause drowsiness, dizziness and lack of awareness.

All older adults can benefit from this specific exercise, especially those with balance problems, loss of confidence, slower or unsteady walking, and reduced strength and mobility in the hips and legs.

Join our Strength and Balance class to improve your balance and confidence and have some fun at the same time. You will receive some tips on exercise to do in addition to the class, and more information to reduce trip hazards around the home.

Call us to book in on 5535 5218 or Contact Us here.

Tiedemann A, et al. Exercise and Sports Science Australia Position Statement on exercise and falls prevention in older people. J Sci Med Sport (2011), doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2011.04.001

Gold Coast Physiotherapy and Allied Health at Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach 

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