Falls are feared among seniors.
In Germany alone, more than 120,000 elderly people suffer a femoral neck fracture or other serious injuries every year, and afterwards every fifth patient requires nursing care.
In order to reduce this risk, scientists at the Rechts der Isar Clinic at the Technical University of Munich have developed a special strength training program for seniors.
It is currently being tested and evaluated as part of a large study.
Residents of retirement homes take part.
The first interim results are encouraging.
+
professor dr
Martin Halle from the Klinikum Rechts der Isar at the Technical University of Munich is one of Germany's most experienced preventive physicians.
© Technical University of Munich
Prevention medicine warns: "With age, the body quickly loses muscle"
How can falls be avoided in everyday life - and if these accidents happen anyway: How do the mostly elderly patients manage to get back on their feet after an injury has healed?
“A key to this is regular strength training.
This is a valuable investment in your health," advises the experienced preventive physician Professor Dr.
Martin Halle from the Technical University of Munich and explains the medical background: "With age, the body quickly loses muscle mass and the bones become more porous.
Strength training strengthens the large muscle groups and core muscles.
Muscles are stabilizers for joints and the spine.
If you have more muscles, you also have denser, stronger bones.
Regular physical training is the best medicine to maintain the quality of life in old age and muscle atrophy,
Muscles are the engine of life.
If you are not active, your muscles will gradually be converted into fat.
professor dr
Martin Halle, preventive physician from the Klinikum Rechts der Isar at the Technical University of Munich
+
As part of the scientific study "Best form - Sport knows no age", older people in retirement homes train on special equipment.
© Technical University of Munich
Study provides encouraging interim results: Participants build strength and endurance
Together with his team, prevention professor Halle is driving a scientific study on this topic in retirement homes.
Under the motto "Best form - sport knows no age!", the participants train regularly on modern equipment that has been further developed for older people.
How effective this training is has already emerged from the first interim results.
"Improvements in physical function, leg strength and endurance as well as a significant reduction in fear of falling were seen," reports private lecturer Dr.
Monika Siegrist and Nina Schaller from the Bestform project team.
The two experts are already working on the evaluation of the study, the results of which they intend to present later this year.
More and more elderly people, many live alone
Prevention physician Halle sees the encouraging interim results as confirmation of his vision of getting even more people excited about this important health issue.
"The time is ripe for a rethinking of society as a whole when it comes to exercise in old age." The renowned scientist supports his thesis with facts: "There is an urgent need for action, because according to the Federal Statistical Office, almost six million people over the age of 65 lived alone in 2020 - that was every third person in this age group.
The number of people over the age of 65 rose by around 50 percent between 1990 and 2018, from 11.9 to 17.9 million.
In the next 20 years, this number will increase by up to six million to at least 22.7 million people.
Seniors benefit not only physically but also mentally
Targeted training can be worthwhile for each individual, emphasize top form experts Siegrist and Schaller.
Those who exercise are less restricted, remain mentally fit and have a longer life expectancy.
In addition, the participants benefit not only physically but also mentally from the exercise units in the retirement homes.
Group training promotes social contacts and gets people out of isolation.
The Munich model should set a precedent
The Munich model should set a precedent.
The scientists at the Technical University of Munich are already working on further expanding the project.
They receive active support from the Beisheim Foundation based in Munich, which has set itself the task of promoting innovative projects in the health sector, among other things.
"Thanks to physical training, optimal conditions for a longer, self-determined life"
Everyone involved is convinced of the chances of success, as initiator Halle emphasizes: "With the bestform study, we are closing the scientific supply gap and creating optimal conditions to enable seniors and the very old to lead a longer, self-determined life thanks to physical training."
