A variety of Studies and important health organizations such as the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) point to tai chi as one of the most effective exercises to prevent falls.
Cited from a paper provided by Dr Paul Lam who developed the Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program, “Despite robust evidence, there remain skeptics who see tai chi as too gentle an exercise to have such significant effects. True, tai chi movements appear to be gentle and graceful, but like the force beneath a seemingly calmly flowing river, tai chi movements contain much power and internal strength. What is fascinating is that the fear of falling often results in more falls; hence, confidence in “not falling” will help to reduce falls. With regular practice, tai chi improves balance by strengthening muscles and co-ordination; at the same time, it strengthens the mind, thereby improving calmness and confidence in not falling. Thus, both physically and mentally, tai chi is an extremely effective exercise for fall prevention.”
On February 15, 2013 Margaret Kaniewski, a Public Health Advisor with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control of CDC, wrote to Dr Paul Lam who developed the Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program: “…Attached is a CDC guideline being promoted for Tai Chi as an exercise form to prevent falls among older adults. We are promoting your tai chi programs since you have established manuals and instructor trainings nationwide.
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Additional Statistics from the CDC on Fall Prevention
- Falls are the leading cause of injury among adults aged 65 years and older in the United States.
- Many older adults, even if they have not suffered a fall, become afraid of falling and restrict their activity, which drastically decreases their quality of life.
- In 2000, falls among older adults cost the U.S. health care system over $19 billion, or $23.6 billion in 2005.
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- In a 1998 study of people age 72 and older, the average health care cost of a fall injury totaled $19,440
- Older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes.
- On average, the hospitalization cost for a fall injury is $17,500.
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- Each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls.
- Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death.
- Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable.
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