Exercise and Weighted Back Support Can Improve Balance and Reduce Falls

Falls and the injuries are one of the most common reasons for hospitalization and disability for older adults. The elderly are at higher risk for falls. “Most studies of falls address the effects of sedatives, weakness of the lower extremity muscles and neuromuscular diseases,” says Mehrsheed Sinaki, M.D., of Mayo Clinic’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He lead a study that looked at the effects of treatment to shift the older adult's center of center of gravity, and improve back strength and gait.

When we are younger and our posture is upright our feet provide a wide base of support for our bodies.Age and the effects of osteoporosis can cause a curvature of the spine called kyphosis. This kypohosis throws the center of gravity forward so it is no longer over the base of support and increasing the risk of falls.

The women in the study suffered from kyphosis and were at risk of falls. The women used a weighted kypho-orthosis (WKO), a specially weighted back support device. This device has it's weight (between 1.75 and 2.5 pounds) centered on the posterior of the spine below the shoulder blades. The weighted kypho-orthosis helps in restoring the center of balance over the feet and legs, thus providing that wide base of support for the body that helps prevent falls. As a result back strength and gait were improved and participants in the study also reported a decrease in back pain.