The Ealing Strength and Balance Programme
The Otago Strength and Balance programme is designed specifically to prevent falls and consists of a set of muscle strengthening and balance retraining exercises. All the exercises are individually prescribed and increase in difficulty.
The programme consist of 10 sessions and participants are recommended to attend two classes per week.
Classes at different levels are offered as adults who have recently fallen will have very different requirements from active older adults whose physical function has only slightly declined.
- Better balance - Suitable for individuals who may have recently fallen or feel that they are at high risk of falling. The classes are designed to increase your confidence and independence through a tailored exercise class based on the OTAGO exercise framework. Education and support is provided to help participants better manage their condition.
- Strength and balance - level 1 - These classes are designed for those individuals who have either completed The Better Balance Programme or are identified as not being at such high risk of falling. Additional strength exercises as well as coordination movements are added to build upon the gains already made. The classes are ongoing so participants can continue to attend post funded intervention.
- Strength and balance - level 2 - These classes are also ongoing as it is important that the benefits gained are maintained and further increased. Additional exercises to build cardiovascular fitness as well as more complex and dynamic movements are added to further build upon the gains already made.
The benefits
Maintaining muscle strength and balance is crucial in helping people stay mobile and independent as they get older, reduce their risk of falls and help them keep doing the daily activities that are important to them.
Evidence shows that specific programmes for improving strength and balance can reduce the risk of falls by as much as 55%. Strength, flexibility, balance and reaction time are considered the most readily modifiable risk factors for falls.
Being active and especially into older age can help to slow down the rate that muscles deteriorate. This can help people remain active and independent as long as possible and also reduce the risk of falls in later life.
About StayActive4Life
StayActive4Life working in partnership with the United Anglo Caribbean Society have been commissioned by Ealing Public Health to deliver a free Strength and Balance Programme to help reduce the risk of falls.
At StayActive4Life we believe that everybody deserves the help and support to live a more active and healthy life. We know you want to keep on the move, feel better and have more energy.
Our approach is all about maintaining independence, building confidence, making friends and above all... having fun!
As we understand how important it is to prevent frailty and reducing the risk of falls, we encourage participants to start our classes when they are active so we can help prevent the first fall. If you want to positively influence your health and wellbeing, then our trained instructors are ready to get you started with a great variety of enjoyable physical activities to benefit your health.