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Natural Awakenings National

Functional Training Protects Against Falls: Integrate These Exercises to Reduce Your Risk

Seniors that integrate strength and balance training into everyday activities experience nearly one-third fewer falls, according to a new study published online by BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal). A team of researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia, designed and tested the Lifestyle Integrated Functional Exercise program to reduce the risk of falls in people over 70. For example, a prescribed activity for improving balance was to stand on one leg while working, and for strength training, squatting to close a drawer. The study found that the average rate of falls per year for those in the program was 1.66, compared with 2.28 in a control group.

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