Fall Prevention Training Shows Positive Results in Research Environment

by Administrator 5. February 2009 10:02
By McKnight's - Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have been working on a way to "inoculate" seniors against falls. Those efforts appear to be paying off, according to recent reports.

For the study, researchers trained eight volunteers on a moveable platform, causing the participants to lose their balance. When walking across a vinyl floor with a hidden slippery spot, the group that had trained on the platform did not slip, and only one person lost balance. A control group of untrained balancers did not fare so well. Those who had trained on the platform also were able to control the slide of their feet much better than the control group.

Researchers speculate that seniors can be similarly trained to develop such fall-response skills, noting that previous research has found that seniors are as able to learn new skills as younger adults. The research appeared in a recent publication of the Journal of Neurophysiology.

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Aging Successfully | Demographics & Aging | Gerontology / Geriatrics | Health & Medical

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About the Author

John Rothbarth is the owner of the St. Louis Times, a media company focused on serving the informational needs of the St. Louis metro-area aging baby boomer/60+ population. The company publishes the St. Louis Times Resource Guide, St. Louis Times Express, and hosts St. Louis Times Funfest and St. Louis Times Geriatrics Symposium events. The company was founded in 1994 and has remained true to its original mission of 'doing some good for older adults and the professionals who work on their behalf.'

Since 1994 the company has won over 20 National Media Awards. He has participated on many local Boards of Directors, all of whom cater to the needs of our area’s aging population. For 2009 he is also President of Breakthrough Coalition, a consortium of over 250 aging-focused organizations and  professionals dedicated to serving the needs of older adults in the St. Louis / Illinois bi-state area.

John is a native St. Louisan, father of two sons, and graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia with a BS degree in Business Administration. His interests include reading mysteries, jogging, motorcycling, and aviation - he is a pilot with instrument, multi-engine and seaplane ratings.

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