Minimizing Fall-Related Injury in Older Adults: a Motor Learning Approach

This program aims to teach how to effectively reduce impact forces during a sideways fall by 1) changing the trunk/knee angles during descent to decrease body acceleration, 2) using a rolling movement to allow for an optimal distribution of impact forces applied to any site along the contact path; and 3) tucking the chin to protect the head.

The Otago Exercise Program (OEP) was chosen, rather than no control intervention, to increase the level of evidence required to demonstrate efficacy, and because, similar to the safe fall training used here, it was designed to be performed individually or in small groups.