As we get older, staying upright and maintaining good posture becomes more of a challenge. This is due to a mix of factors, such as muscles getting weaker, changes in how we see, and alterations in the sensory information our bodies receive.
Unfortunately, this means the likelihood of taking a tumble and getting hurt increases, with about 40% of older folks experiencing falls each year.
For a long time, experts have known that specific exercises focused on keeping you steady (postural control) can help prevent these falls. These exercises teach people how to adjust their posture quickly in response to sudden changes, like if someone nudged you unexpectedly.
The problem has been that the equipment needed for this kind of training is usually big, pricey, and complicated, making it hard for everyday people to access it outside of a clinical setting.
But there’s good news from a recent study in the IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine. Assistant Professor Masataka Yamamoto and his team from Tokyo University of Science have come up with a wearable balance exercise device (WBED) that could change the game.
What’s the Deal with the WBED?
Imagine wearing something like suspenders that can make you lean one way or another without warning. That’s kind of what the WBED does. It has two artificial muscles that can be controlled to push you gently from side to side. This helps train your body to react to these surprises without falling over.
This device is cleverly designed to be light, easy to carry around, and simple to use, whether you’re at home or in a therapy session.
Did the WBED Work?
The researchers tested the WBED on 18 healthy guys, splitting them into two groups. One group trained with the real device, and the other group had a dummy version that didn’t do much. Before and after the training, they checked how well everyone could keep their balance.
The results were clear: the guys who trained with the WBED got better at staying steady when something pushed them unexpectedly. This means the device really works in improving how quickly and effectively you can respond to being knocked off balance.
Why This Matters
For older adults and people in physical therapy, this device could be a big deal. Regularly using the WBED can help them stand firmer, reducing the chance of falls and the injuries that can come with them. Plus, it’s easy enough to use at home, making daily balance exercises more doable.
Although it’s a fantastic tool for helping seniors avoid falls, the WBED also has potential in the sports world. Athletes who need top-notch balance and coordination could find it useful for their training.
The creation of the WBED is an exciting step forward in helping older people stay independent and safe from falls. As our global population ages, especially in places like Japan, technologies like this are vital for improving life quality and health outcomes for the elderly.
This development not only promises a brighter future for senior health and rehabilitation but also opens new doors in sports training and beyond.
If you care about pain, please read studies about vitamin K deficiency linked to hip fractures in old people, and these vitamins could help reduce bone fracture risk.
For more information about wellness, please see recent studies that Krill oil could improve muscle health in older people, and eating yogurt linked to lower frailty in older people.
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