What does the evidence say?
What exercise is best to prevent falls?
A Cochrane review and meta-analysis (considered the highest standard in evidence-based healthcare) found:
Effective exercise interventions include the following elements:
1. A high challenge to balance
2. Targets functional abilities
3. Includes resistance (strength) exercise
Interventions containing balance and functional exercises = 24% reduction in fall rates
Interventions containing balance, functional and strength exercises = 34% reduction in fall rates
James – please add this link to a full-text version of this review:
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD012424.pub2/full
Reference:
Sherrington et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Jan 31;1(1):CD012424. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012424.pub2.