Yvonne Robitaille ^1*, Sophie Laforest ², Michel Fournier ³, Lise Gauvin ⁴, Manon Parisien ³, Hélène Corriveau ⁵, Francine Trickey ³, Nicole Damestoy ⁶

¹ Institut national de santé publique du Québec and Montreal Public Health Department
² Department of Kinesiology, Université de Montréal
³ Montreal Public Health Department, Regional Health and Social Services Board
⁴ Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire en santé (GRIS), Université de Montréal
⁵ Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement, Université de Sherbrooke
⁶ Laval Public Health Department, Regional Health and Social Services Board

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: yvonne.robitaille{at}inspq.qc.ca.

	Abstract

Objectives. This study investigated the effectiveness of a group-based exercise intervention to improve balance among older adults when delivered in a natural environment by staff in local community organizations. Methods. The main component of the intervention consisted of bi-weekly group-based exercise sessions conducted over 12 weeks by a professional, coupled with home-based exercises. In a quasi-experimental design, 10 community organizations working with older adults offered the intervention to groups of 5 to 15 persons concerned about falls, while 7 organizations recruited similar groups to participate in the control arm of the study. Participants (98 experimental and 102 control) underwent balance assessments by a physiotherapist at registration and 3 months later. Results. 89% of participants attended the 3-month measurement session (N=177). A linear regression analysis showed that after adjusting for baseline levels of balance and demographic and health characteristics, the intervention significantly improved static balance and mobility. Conclusions. Structured, group-based exercise programs offered by community organizations in natural settings can successfully increase balance among community-dwelling older adults concerned about falls.

Key Words: Aging, Community Health, Exercise/Physical Activity, Health Promotion, Injury/Emergency Care/Violence, Prevention

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. S. Mercer, M. T. Gross, S. Sharma, and E. Weeks Comparison of Gluteus Medius Muscle Electromyographic Activity During Forward and Lateral Step-up Exercises in Older Adults Physical Therapy, November 1, 2009; 89(11): 1205 - 1214. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Laforest, A. Pelletier, L. Gauvin, Y. Robitaille, M. Fournier, H. Corriveau, and J. Filiatrault Impact of a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program on Maintenance of Physical Activity Among Older Adults J Aging Health, June 1, 2009; 21(3): 480 - 500. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Howell, M. Silberberg, W. V. Quinn, and J. A. Lucas Determinants of Remaining in the Community After Discharge: Results From New Jersey's Nursing Home Transition Program Gerontologist, August 1, 2007; 47(4): 535 - 547. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]