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

Abstract

There is limited research on optimal exercise programs that effectively decrease falls and fall-related injuries in older populations. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to explore the effects of a 12-week Judo4Balance program on falling techniques, physical and psychological functions, health status, and physical activity levels among 200 community-dwelling older adults (79% women and 21% men) with a mean age of 72 years. The 200 participants were randomly allocated for the Judo4Balce program (n = 100) or control group (n = 100). The RCT intervention started in mid-January 2020 and was abruptly interrupted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A restart of the RCT was initiated in September 2021, and the 12-week intervention was offered to two groups. This study reports the results from three points of assessment: baseline, 20-month follow-up, and 12-week postintervention. At 20 months follow-up, the control group had significantly decreased physical activity levels (summer p = 0.002 and winter p = 0.003); similar changes were not seen in the exercise group. In the exercise group, learning falling techniques in 6–9 weeks led to sustained fall competence at 20 months follow-up. Further, significant improvements in physical function (exercise group p = 0.009 and control group p < 0.001) and learning falling techniques (p < 0.001 for both groups) were noted in both groups after the 12-week intervention. This effective, supervised, group-based, high-challenge multicomponent exercise program needs to be further evaluated for possible impact on falls and fall-related injuries.

Judo‐based exercise programs to improve health outcomes in middle‐aged and older adults with no judo experience: A scoping review

“…Nine studies were non‐randomized quasi‐experimental studies, 19–22,24,40–43 including five non‐equivalent studies 19,20,24,40,42 and four pre‐post studies 21,22,41,43 . One study each was a feasibility study, 17 an initial RCT, 18 and an observational study 14 …”

“…The most common recruitment source was local television and radio, 23–26 followed by workplaces 17,41,42 and community associations 18,20,21 . Two studies used posters 23,25 and healthcare settings (i.e., hospital and physiotherapists) 14,17 .…”

“…Judo‐based exercise programs included balance, mobility (i.e., getting up and down from the ground), and strength 17,18,22,41,42 . One study, including older participants, used an obstacle course comprising balance and gait exercises, 22 while three other studies, including older 17 and mixed‐aged participants, 41,42 used power exercises (i.e., strength and speed) and high‐intensity games in addition to balance, strength and mobility 17,41,42 …”

“…The duration of interventions ranged from 5 weeks to 24 months with the majority ( n = 10) being conducted between 5 and 16 weeks 17–22,40–43 …”

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

“…The RCT project included 200 older adults, who were randomized to either an intervention or control group. The RCT aimed to investigate the short-term effects of a 12-week judo-inspired multicomponent group-based exercise program (Judo4Balance) regarding physical functions, falls, fall-related self-efficacy, and learning falling techniques [ 19 ]. The intervention was a standardized multicomponent Judo4Balance exercise program, which was a weekly 50–60 min group exercise program that was led by two licensed Judo4Balance instructors.…”