Motor learning

Interventions to prevent falls have been a major focus of research in recent years. This topic is particularly pressing due to the aging population and the growing awareness of the societal burdens resulting from falls. Fall prevention research has resulted in a plethora of interventions ranging from exercise programs to education and home safety modifications. The goal of this pilot trial is to explore the feasibility to deliver a novel exercise intervention to reduce fall risk in older adults living in the community.

One-third of Americans aged over 65 fall each year. Falls threaten functional independence, decrease quality of life, and financially burden patients and their caregivers. Walking is the most common fall-related activity among older adults. Additionally, older adults experience greater step width variability when walking. Importantly, increased step width variability during walking has been found to be a strong predictor of fall risk and incidence. Therefore, an intervention aimed at reducing increased step width variability may consequently reduce fall risk for older adults, which is critically important for themselves, their caregivers, and the community.