Falls are a major health concern as we age. Not to try to scare you, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says falls are the leading cause of injury death for adults age 65 and older. Additionally, they account for nearly 3 million emergency room visits.
Fortunately, falls can be prevented. Researchers at the University of British Columbia have found a link between exercise and preventing falls in people ages 65 and older.
CKPGToday.Ca reported on the findings, noting that evidence shows that seniors who exercise can reduce their chance of falling by as much as 21%.
On top of that, researchers found that if seniors incorporate three hours of balance exercises into their weekly routines, the fall rate drops even more drastically.
Since falling can not only impede daily life and lead to injuries and sustained health issues, keeping up with a regular exercise routine is one simple thing you can do to avoid taking a fall.
To learn more about how exercise benefits seniors, take a look through some of our other articles on Council of Seniors 365.
