Additive effects of strength and balance training - comparison of three fall prevention interventions with seniors.

A large number of epidemiological studies show that the frequency of falls increases significantly with advancing age. Almost ¼ of those over 65 fall at least once a year. Among those over 75, the frequency increases to over 40% (Granacher, Gruber & Gollhofer, 2009). The consequences are severe both for those who fall, in terms of reduced quality of life, and for the health care system, in terms of financial expenditures due to falls. The causes of falls are manifold, such as muscular weaknesses, balance disorders, impaired vision, reductions in motor control, loss of coordination, or cognitive dysfunction.

Studies investigating appropriate fall prevention methods have so far demonstrated positive effects of strength training (e.g. Granacher, Muehlbauer & Gruber, 2012), sensorimotor training and balance training (e.g. Steadman, Donaldson & Kalra, 2003), but also with dancing & Tai-Chi (Granacher, Muehlbauer, Bridenbaugh, Wolf, Roth, Gschwind, Wolf, Mata & Kressig, 2012). Little is known so far about effects induced by a combination of balance training and strength training and in particular load training under instability for fall prevention.

We assume that load training under unstable conditions achieves higher effects (reduction of fall risk factors) than 'traditional' strength training due to the additive effects of strength and balance training.