Journal of aging research
Exercise Prescription for Falls Prevention in Older Adults: A Before-After Study of an Online Educational Course for Fitness Instructors
By Hennell JM, Pogrebnoy D, Gorelik A and 1 others.
Abstract
Purpose
Exercise reduces falls in older adults, yet fitness instructors may lack formal education in prescribing effective fall prevention exercises. This study evaluated the quality of strength and balance exercises prescribed by fitness instructors before and after completing an online course on exercise prescription for falls prevention in older adults.
Materials and methods
In a before-after study, fitness instructors completed an exercise prescription task based on a clinical scenario immediately before and after participation in an online educational course. On each occasion, participants prescribed one strength and one balance exercise. Exercises were assessed using a rubric informed by evidence-based guidelines. Pre-post changes in exercise quality were analyzed using paired t-tests for strength and balance exercises separately.