Balance and falls describe the clinical and public-health field concerned with postural stability and the prevention of unintentional falls, particularly among older adults, in whom falls are a leading cause of injury, fracture, loss of independence, and hospitalisation. Balance is maintained by the integration of v…
Balance and falls describe the clinical and public-health field concerned with postural stability and the prevention of unintentional falls, particularly among older adults, in whom falls are a leading cause of injury, fracture, loss of independence, and hospitalisation. Balance is maintained by the integration of vestibular, visual, proprioceptive, and musculoskeletal systems; age-related decline in any of these, together with muscle weakness, slowed reflexes, polypharmacy, and environmental hazards, raises fall risk. Research in this area examines both the determinants and the prevention of falls. Nutritional status is one modifiable factor, with vitamin D investigated for its effects on muscle function, neuromuscular performance, and balance capacity in ageing populations. Chronic joint disease, notably osteoarthritis, is studied as a contributor through pain, reduced lower-limb strength, altered gait, and impaired proprioception, prompting frameworks that situate fall risk within combined biological, behavioural, and ecological influences. Intervention research evaluates exercise programmes that train strength, gait, and dynamic balance, including mind-body practices such as Tai Chi shown to support stability in community-dwelling older adults with painful knee osteoarthritis, as well as environmental and sensory modifications in residential and assisted-living settings. The aim is to identify high-risk individuals and deliver multifactorial strategies that reduce falls and preserve mobility and quality of life.
5 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 5 articles above have been cited 6 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Balance and Falls, linking to each citing work.