Feasibility of a novel Judo4Balance – fall preventive exercise programme targeting community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Objectives: It is of utmost importance to investigate risk factors for falls and learning techniques for falling safely. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a novel judo-inspired exercise intervention for community-dwelling older adults. Methods: We included 28 participants, 60-88 years of age, in this study. In three different settings, the feasibility of carrying out a full-scale study was evaluated by the following: the study process, resource management and scientific aspects. The outcome measures evaluated were physical performance, fall related self-efficacy and fall techniques (backwards and forwards) among the older adults. Results: The intervention was judged to be feasible in the different settings used in this study. Some changes regarding duration of the intervention were suggested as being important. Significant improvements were seen in the selected outcome measures, physical performance (p=.030) and fall techniques (p=<.001). A corresponding difference was not found for fall related selfefficacy (p=.113). Conclusions: This study confirms the judo inspired exercise programme, Judo4Balance, to be a feasible intervention for active older adults. This study will provide a safe and thoroughly planned protocol for the planned study and provides indication of appropriate setting depending on the target group.

High Challenge Exercise and Learning Safe Landing Strategies among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Some of the exercises were performed in pairs to enable the participants to support and challenge one another through different exercises. Following the findings of a feasibility study on the Judo4Balance program in 2018 [ 18 ], the intervention was designed as a 12-week program with progressive exercise challenges.…”

“…Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate a newly developed exercise program, Judo4Balance, which is a group-based, multicomponent, high-challenge exercise program that includes teaching falling techniques. The program has previously been pilot-tested for feasibility in a small sample of older adults [ 18 ]. The overall aim of this study was to explore the effects of a 12-week Judo4Balance program on falling techniques, physical and psychological functions, health status, and physical activity levels among community-dwelling older adults.…”

Short Multicomponent Group Exercise Intervention Promotes Long-Term Physical Activity Habits among Community-Dwelling Older Adults during COVID-19 Restrictions: A Cohort Study

“…The researchers planned to investigate the practice of fall prevention exercises and the rate of learning safe falling techniques among adults over 65 years of age. Following the findings of a feasibility study on the Judo4Balance program in 2018 [ 18 ], the intervention was designed as a 12-week program with progressive exercise challenges. The control group received no intervention during the study.…”

“…In the logistic regression analysis, the dependent variable, the physical activity level, was categorized into low-to-light exercise (1–3) and moderate-to-hard exercise groups (4–6). The independent variables were grouped as follows: physical activity, low-to-light exercise (1–3), and moderate-to-strenuous exercise (4–6), which were calculated from the median values in this study; self-rated health (using the EQ VAS), was categorized into between ≤80 and >80 [ 18 ]; BMI, was categorized into from not overweight (<25) to overweight (≥25); SPPB, was categorized into between <10 and ≥10 [ 26 ]; Mini-BESTest, was categorized into between <22 and ≥22 [ 27 ]; the FES-S scores were grouped for the women and the men into low (scores less than 124 vs. 126, respectively) and high groups (score equal to or higher than 118 vs. 105, respectively) [ 28 ]. The treatment group was included as an independent variable to investigate whether the half-time participation in the high challenge exercise program (Judo4Balance) was associated with physical activity habits.…”

Falls efficacy: The self-efficacy concept for falls prevention and management

“…Falls efficacy was then associated with the perceived ability to perform various activities steadily (balance confidence) (Hadjistavropoulos et al, 2011 ). Falls efficacy (i.e., balance confidence) was shown to improve by interventions, such as Tai Chi (Chewning et al, 2020 ), but not for those that improve performances of reactive balance (Kurz et al, 2016 ) or safe falling (Arkkukangas et al, 2020 ). These interventions might have improved other perceived self-efficacy to overcome falls, such as balance recovery confidence and safe-landing confidence.…”