28 November 2024
Better balance control can reduce fall risk in older people
Falls are one of the most common causes of injury in older people and can seriously affect quality of life. But new research shows that there is hope to reduce the risk of falls through a better understanding of how balance works and how it can be trained.
In his thesis, Jimmy Falk has investigated how physical capacity, cognitive functions and balance strategies affect our balance. The thesis includes four studies that examined different parts of the balance in the movement lab at Luleå University of Technology.
One of the central insights is that a more rigid balance strategy, "like walking on ice", often leads to poorer balance outcomes. On the other hand, the results show that people with good physique and faster cognitive processes find it easier to adapt and improve their balance over time
“The research also shows links between cognitive functions and aspects of balance previously thought to be automated. "Understanding the different parts that make up balance and its connections can help us develop more effective and individualized fall risk assessments and training programs,” says Jimmy Falk.
An important part of the thesis was a study in which elderly people with perceived cognitive difficulties trained balance and brain using a tablet. For eight weeks, participants trained both balance and cognitive functions. This eight-week study showed that older adults with subjective cognitive impairment found that training at home with a tablet worked well, but that it is important that balance training is sufficiently challenging, both for motivation and training effect.
“Future fall prevention interventions should be flexible and adapted to the specific needs and conditions of the individual. This is a step forward in helping older people live an independent and safe life,” says Jimmy Falk.
Contact
Jimmy Falk
- Lecturer
- 0920-492902
- jimmy.falk@ltu.se
- Jimmy Falk
Published:
Updated: