Balance Declines With Age, but Exercise Can Help Stave Off Some of the Risk of Falling

Balance Declines With Age, but Exercise Can Help Stave Off Some of the Risk of Falling
About 1 in 4 adults ages 65 and up experiences a fall every year. Photographee.eu/Shutterstock
|Updated:
0:00

My wife and I were in the grocery store recently when we noticed an older woman reaching above her head for some produce. As she stretched out her hand, she lost her balance and began falling forward. Fortunately, she leaned into her grocery cart, which prevented her from falling to the ground.

Each year, about 1 in 4 older adults experiences a fall. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injuries in adults ages 65 and older. Falls are the most common cause of hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries.
Evan Papa
Evan Papa
Author
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Tufts University
Related Topics