An epidemiological evaluation of a fall prevention program in H Town, Shimane Prefecture

We investigated effects of a fall prevention program on blood pressure and physical strength and balance in the elderly living in H Town, Shimane Prefecture. The program consisting of 12 sessions was held from September to November, 2005. After completing the program, there were significant changes in several parameters measured, i.e., a decrease in diastolic blood pressure, rise in handgrip strength, elongation of the duration for keeping balance on one foot with eyes open, increase in maximum stride length, and shortening of 10 m full-speed walking (n=25; average age ± SD, 72.9 ±6.0). No such changes were shown in the control group (participants in salon meetings; n=26; average age ± SD, 73.2 ± 9.5). The results suggest that the fall prevention program improved blood pressure and physical strength and balance in the elderly in H Town.