Practical Tips for Prescribing Exercise for Fall Prevention

Clinical Relevance: There is strong evidence from meta-analyses that exercise as a single intervention can reduce the number and risk of falls in community-dwelling older adults, yet not all types of exercise are equal.

Observations: Programs that include 3 h a week of exercise and provide a high challenge to balance can reduce falls by almost 40%. Reactive and volitional stepping interventions have also been shown to reduce falls by about 50%. Evidence is less clear regarding the efficacy of exercise in individuals who have experienced a stroke, who live in long-term care, who have been recently discharged from the hospital, or who have visual impairments, but there is some evidence that multifactorial programs may be useful.

Conclusion: Depending on the population, exercise as a single or as part of a multifactorial intervention may be beneficial in reducing falls.