An Ancient Art May Work Best to Prevent Falls in Older Adults

Tai chi may be better than strength training and aerobics for preventing falls among older adults, reports HealthDay . A modified senior-centered tai chi program reduced falls by nearly a third in a head-to-head comparison with an exercise regimen that combined aerobics, strength training, and balance drills, researchers wrote in JAMA Internal Medicine . Tai chi requires people to move in all directions, while traditional exercise programs focus more on forward and backward motion, the researchers said. Classical tai chi can involve upwards of 100 different movements, which can be challenging for seniors to learn. Therefore, the research team for this clinical trial developed a pared-down form of tai chi that focuses on eight fundamental movements most related to fall prevention.