How judo could help older adults combat falls
As we age, our risk of falls can increase, leading to serious injuries, including hip fractures, head injuries, and even death.
According to the latest figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, falls are Australia’s leading cause of injury, hospitalisation and death, representing 43 per cent of injury hospitalisations and 42 per cent of injury deaths.
While there are a number of measures that can be taken to prevent falls such as home modifications and targeted exercises, over in the UK, researchers are utilising the art of judo to help prevent falls among their older population.
Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Dr Katrina McDonald and Professor Mike Callan of the University of Hertfordshire have teamed up with British Judo to help older adults fall safely.
Through the Finding Your Feet programme, judo coaches will instruct older adults on how to improve their balance and utilise safe falling techniques.
Dr McDonald said the aim of the programme is to provide older adults with “the tools and knowledge to be able to fall in a way that lowers the risk of injury”.
“There is a vicious circle associated with falling that the Finding Your Feet programme is aiming to break,” McDonald said.
“When an individual has a fall they are scared of it happening again and so they limit their activity, but this in turn weakens their muscles and balance which, over time, can increase the risk of another fall.
“A key way of mitigating a fear of falling is by giving older people – and the wider public – the tools and knowledge to be able to fall in a way that lowers the risk of injury, and, in turn, boosts their confidence to be able to become more active.
“While the programme is in its early stages it has great potential to make a meaningful difference not just to older adults, but the whole of society, and I am looking forward to seeing it gain momentum.”
Professor Callan emphasised that judo coaches possess a “valuable skill set” that makes them well-placed to share the principles of falling safely.
“By teaching these techniques to older adults, judo can make a significant contribution to a particular problem for society,” Callan said.
The methods being taught in the programme are pulled from 18 different judo techniques adapted to be of benefit to an older population.
Among the skills being instructed are mastering a sideways tumble, honing the art of tucking the chin during backward falls, and acquiring safe methods for regaining footing.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.
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