Abstract
Falls remain the leading cause of injury-related death for 65 years and older. Matter of Balance is a well-documented community-based program designed to reduce participants' fear of falling. However, Matter of Balance classes' effect on physical measures remains less well studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Matter of Balance program on balance, strength, and fall risk. This is a single-group pretest-posttest evaluation of balance and strength in community participants enrolled in 8-week Matter of Balance classes. Physical therapist assessments of the Functional Reach Test and five times sit-to-stand test at week 1 and week 8 were compared. A total of 33 class participants were studied. The average improvement in the Functional Reach Test was M = 1.33 (SD = 1.6) inches and the five times sit-to-stand test was M = -3.24 (SD = 3.42) seconds; p < .05. Matter of Balance classes resulted in improvement in both balance and strength. This study's findings support Matter of Balance classes' efficacy as a community-based program that can reduce a participant's physical risk for falls.
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