Balance Mat

Sometimes humans need a little help to do their exercise. #exercisephysiology #physiotherapy

HOW TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE FOR LONGER I was delighted to contribute to this article by Stephen Lunn in The Australian today outlining the benefits of physical activity, particularly with advancing age. Many individuals are apprehensive about commencing physically activity, particularly in middle / old age, fearing that it will be too hard, or place them at risk of injury. The evidence is however, that the greatest benefits for physical, mental and emotional health accrue with the transition from sedentary behaviour to light exercise. Doing a small amount of light exercise on a regular basis is hugely beneficial, compared to sedentary, sitting behaviours. As well as the obvious advantages to the individual, society can benefit enormously from huge health cost savings that could be delivered by a more physically active community. Non-communicable diseases (type 2 diabetes, cancer, hypertension, heart disease, dementia, osteoporosis etc.) were estimated to have cost the Australian community in excess of $100 billion in 2018/2019. Regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of many of these non-communicable diseases. Individuals, communities and governments have a role to play in educating and promoting greater levels of physical activity, for the benefit of all. Australian Sports Commission Australian Institute Of Sport Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

🎉 Big News in Aging, Health, and Exercise Science! 🏋️♂️👵👴 We’re proud to share the Global Consensus on Optimal Exercise Recommendations for Enhancing Healthy Longevity in Older Adults! 🌍💪 This landmark work, developed by the International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR), provides actionable, evidence-based exercise guidelines to improve the quality of life, combat age-related diseases, and promote healthy longevity in older adults. 🌟 Key Highlights from the Consensus: ✅ Tailored exercise prescriptions to address frailty, sarcopenia, and chronic diseases. ✅ Practical recommendations for health professionals, sports scientists, and policymakers. ✅ Strategies to optimize health span and reduce the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Free download: https://lnkd.in/dju-3_9r

2024 was big but 2025 will be bigger! #exercisephysiology #clinicalexercisephysiology

One in three people over 65 will have at least one fall each year, and GPs in particular, are relied on to support older people who experience falls.   Lorraine Lovitt, Senior Improvement Lead for our Older Persons Patient Safety Program was a member of the ISoVLE project led by Professor lindy clemson and co-authored a new article published in the international peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Public Health.   The article describes how a multifaceted fall prevention process that includes upskilling GPs and allied health professionals and supporting workflow practices can impact how they engage in fall prevention for older adults.   The research found that sharing resources and strategies to support GPs in becoming more proactive in preventing falls among their older patients can successfully change practice and better engage GPs in fall prevention.   Read the full paper: https://lnkd.in/gZBiHm29

Two top concussion researchers have applied for ethics approval to incorporate the Balance Mat in a major body of research underway at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. Clinical nurse specialist Dr Doug King and sports science consultant Dr Trevor Clark (pictured below with Ian Bergman) have each taken delivery of a Balance Mat and conducted their due diligence on the system. Dr Clark presented at the Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) 2022 Research to Practice conference: Unspoken Divide: Understanding Diversity of Experience in Sports Science that advocated for celebrating and actively including culturally, linguistically and gender diverse people in sport. His current collaborative research with Dr King seeks to mitigate the male bias he spoke about at the ESSA conference by focusing on the impacts of injury on female rugby league and roller derby players. Once ethics approval is received the Balance Mat will be used as part of the current major research project in New Zealand.

This week we completed the final stages of the Round 25 Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) bidding process. We now await final outcomes. Together we represent a $129M partnership of 60 organisations supporting technology, data and workforce initiatives across the Care Economy. It is an impressive bid - and we are set to make a real difference to the Australian Care Economy, and to the lives of all Australians. Deena Shiff Carmela Sergi Irene Blackberry

I had the honour of receiving the University of Canberra Commendation for HDR Supervision. This award truly belongs to my PhD students. I love my job because of them because of how I learn from them, and how they humble me with their brilliance. Maryam Sousani Yasaman Baradaran Abishek Shrestha

Balance Metrix principal Ian Bergman recently demonstrated the Balance Mat to some staff and residents at a local residential aged care facility on the mid north coast. Ian's next steps will be to discuss the feasibility of testing balance more broadly with the facility's manager as well as possibly signing them up for the Better Balance Initiative. #gerontology #betterbalanceinitiative

Balance Metrix is keen to find partners for our Better Balance Initiative due to start rolling out early in the New Year. We want to run 12-week strength and balance courses inside residential aged care facilities to help prevent falls. Please contact me if you'd like to be involved. #gerontology #strengthspan