A six week homebased strength and balance exercise programme for healthy older adults

Strength and balance exercises have already been shown to help improve stability, and thereby reduce the risk of falling in older adults. These exercises are often delivered face-to-face in a group class which is not always easy for older adults to attend. Compliance to prescription exercises at home is known to be poor and often measured outcomes are ineffective. The purpose of this pilot study, therefore, was to investigate the compliance of a six-week home-based strength and balance exercise programme, with focus on improving postural sway and functional balance in healthy community dwelling older people. Participants complied well with home based exercises and sway measures of balance did improve with strength and stretching exercises.