Physical activity interventions, falls and fractures

Physical activity is associated with better health and quality of life. It also plays an important beneficial role in maintaining bone mass and preventing falls and fragility fractures in the elderly. Physical inactivity is common due to busy lifestyles, and even more so in older people suffering from health issues including joint pain, poor balance and osteoporosis. However, evidence-based exercise interventions can effectively and safely improve musculoskeletal health and mobility in people at risk of fragility fractures, and new technologies may offer ways to improve engagement and monitoring of patients participating in exercise.

In this course, Associate Professor David Scott will review age-related changes in musculoskeletal health with a focus on their major impact on the risk for falls, fractures, and disability in older adults. He will highlight key cohort studies, trials and guidelines focused on physical activity, physical function and bone health in older populations, and the emerging role of digital health.
 

Key Learning Objectives of this course include:

• To understand the role that physical activity plays in the prevention of falls and fractures
• To address challenges of exercising for individuals who are more susceptible to fractures
• To learn about the latest clinical trials and digital health tools to support healthy and independent ageing