Exercise improves older adults' balance

By Amy Norton

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Regular exercise may help older adults stay steady on their feet, potentially cutting their risk of falls and fractures, according to a new research review.

In an analysis of 34 clinical trials, British researchers found that supervised exercise regimens generally helped improve older adults' balance and coordination. Various forms of exercise appeared effective, but strength training and exercise specifically targeting balance, coordination and walking ability showed the strongest effects.

"Exercise improves balance," lead study author Dr. Tracey E. Howe told Reuters Health. "And as the participants in the studies reviewed were on average over 75 years, then it is never too late to start exercise."

The best exercises appear to be those that directly challenge balance, according to Howe, who is director of HealthQWest, a research consortium based at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland.

She and her colleagues report their findings in the Cochrane Library, a publication of the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that assesses medical research.

While physical activities such as walking and strength training are recommended for older adults' overall health, exercise that focuses on balance is also key, as falls are a major cause of disability and death among the elderly.

A number of studies have shown that balance training, as well as gentle balance-focused exercises like tai chi, may benefit older adults.

Howe and her colleagues analyzed 34 studies that included a total of 2,883 adults, typically older than 75 but in good general health. The exercise programs lasted anywhere from 1 month to 1year.

While exercise did generally benefit balance and mobility in the short term, it is still unclear what the long-term effects might be, according to Howe's team.

The review also did not look at whether improved balance translated into a lower fall risk. However, the potential for decreasing fall risk is there, according to the researchers.

"Balance is a major component of stability and, hence, fall prevention," Howe explained. "If you have good balance," she said, "you can respond to the subtle stimuli we experience in everyday life, and you are less likely to fall."

Older adults who want to take up exercise should always first ask their doctor, according to Howe. But once they learn some simple balance exercises, they can perform them at home, she noted.

SOURCE: Cochrane Library, October 16, 2007.