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Letters

Tailored exercise is key to preventing falls

BMJ 2002; 325 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.325.7373.1177/a (Published 16 November 2002) Cite this as: BMJ 2002;325:1177
  1. Piers W Simey, physical activity lead (piers.simey@mswha.sthames.nhs.uk),
  2. Dawn Skelton, senior research fellow,
  3. Susie Dinan, clinical exercise practitioner,
  4. Bob Laventure, consultant, older people
  1. Wandsworth Primary Care Trust, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4TP
  2. University College London Institute of Human Performance, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore HA7 4LP
  3. Royal Free Hospital and University College School of Medicine, London NW3 2PF
  4. British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health, University of Loughborough, Loughborough LE11 3TU

    EDITOR—The role of exercise in effectively preventing falls has had a mixed press. Profound conclusions have been drawn from research studies with severe limitations, including non-selection of those who had had falls, brief intervention periods, and exercise of insufficient intensityto stimulate improvement. Many were alarmed by a trial in which those who had falls fell more often after being encouraged to walk—if the authors had prescribed the balance, gait, and strength exercises used in New Zealand before walking, this unfortunate outcome …

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