Table 2.
Summary of the included interventions
| No. | Study | Participantsa,b | Exercise protocol | Intervention and follow-up | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ballard et al. [90] | Total: n = 39 IG: n = 20, 72.4 ± 6.5 years, 20 F CG: n = 19, 73.4 ± 5.4 years, 19 F |
Functional balance exercises (one leg balance tasks, half squats, lunges, and standing leg raises), strength exercises with elastic bands while seated (2 sets of 10 repetitions), low-impact aerobics routine (walking, stepping, and lunging in different directions while using intermittent arm motions) |
Intervention: Duration: 3.8 months Session: 1 h Frequency: 3×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 12 months |
No significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 2 | Beyer et al. [50] | Total: n = 53 IG: n = 24, 78.6 ± 5.1 years, 24 F CG: n = 29, 77.6 ± 4.4 years, 29 F |
Standard resistance exercise (70–75% of 1 RM), balance training, and flexibility |
Intervention: Duration: 6 months Session: 1 h Frequency: 2×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 12 months (starting from begin of study) |
No significant reduction in fall risk |
| 3 | Fitzharris et al. [73] | Total: n = 272, 76.1 ± 5 years IG: n = 135 CG: n = 137 |
Strength and balance exercises supplemented with daily home exercises, 30–35% of the exercise contents were balance related |
Intervention: Duration: 3.8 months Session: 1 h Frequency: 1×/week Format: group Home exercise: yes Follow-up: up to 18 months (starting from begin of study) |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 4,5 | Freiberger et al. [82]a,b | Total: n = 217 IG (a): n = 65 (62 analyzed), 76.4 ± 4.2 years, 31 F IG: (b): n = 69 (65 analyzed), 75.4 ± 3.8 years, 27 F CG: n = 83 (74 analyzed), 76.5 ± 3.9 years, 39 F |
IG (a): strength (20%), balance (20%), motor coordination (30%), competence (15%), and perceptual training (15%) IG (b): strength and flexibility training (33%), balance and motor coordination training (33%), and endurance training (33%) |
Intervention for (a) and (b): Duration: 4 months Session: 1 h Frequency: 2×/week Format: group Home exercise: yes Follow-up: 12 months |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk in IG (b) |
| 6 | Halvarsson et al. [94] | Total: n = 59 IG: n = 38 (30 analyzed), 76 years, 21 F CG: n = 21 (18 analyzed), 78 years, 15 F |
Progressive balance training program that includes dual- and multi-task exercises (cognitive and/or motor) |
Intervention: Duration: 3 months Session: 45 min Frequency: 3×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 15 months (starting from begin of study) |
No significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 7, 8 | Iliffe et al. [83]a,b | Total: n = 572 IG: (a): n = 184, 72.9 years IG: (b): n = 178, 72.8 years CG: n = 210, 73.1 years |
IG (a): Fall-management exercise program of progressive muscle strengthening, progressive balance retraining, bone loading, endurance (including walking) and flexibility training, functional floor skills, and adapted Tai Chi IG (b): Moderate intensity muscle strength, balance retraining, and walking plan |
Intervention: Duration: 6 months Session: 1 h for group-based, 30 min for home-sessions Frequency: 3×/week Format: IG (a) home and group-based, IG (b) home-based only Home exercise: yes Follow-up: 18 months after the end of intervention |
Significant reduction in fall rate |
| 9 | Kamide et al. [95] | Total: n = 57 IG: n = 28 (23 analyzed), 71.0 ± 3.8 years, 23 F CG: n = 29 (27 analyzed), 70.9 ± 3.4 years, 27 F |
Thera-Band moderate intensity strength exercises for hip and knee, four exercises, 1–2 sets of 15 repetitions, balance training in terms of fast stepping exercises in AP and ML directions 10 repetitions in each direction for right and left leg, and impact training in form of heel drop and tip toes exercises, 60–100 repetitions |
Intervention: Duration: 6 months Session: not stated Frequency: 3×/week Format: home-based Home exercise: yes Follow-up: 6 months after the end of intervention |
No significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 10,11,12 | Karinkanta et al. [51]a,b,c | Total: n = 149 IG: (a): n = 37 (33 analyzed), 72.7 ± 2.5 years, 33 F IG: (b): n = 37 (31 analyzed), 72.9 ± 2.3 years, 31 F IG: (c): n = 38 (30 analyzed), 72.9 ± 2.2 years, 30 F CG: n = 37 (26 analyzed), 72 ± 2.1 years, 26 F |
IG (a): Progressive resistance training with an intensity from 50 to 80% of 1 RM IG (b): Balance-jumping training: balance and agility training, jumps, modified and step aerobics, and impact exercises IG (c): Combined training: resistance and balance-jumping training in alternating weeks |
Intervention: Duration: 12 months Session: 50 min Frequency: 3×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 12 months after the end of intervention |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 13 | Li et al. [89] | Total: n = 256, 77.48 ± 4.95 years, 179 F IG: n = 125 (95 analyzed) CG: n = 131 (93 analyzed) |
Tai Chi Yang style |
Intervention: Duration: 6.5 months Session: 1 h Frequency: 3×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 6 months |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 14 | Liu-Ambrose et al. [96] | Total: n = 59 IG: n = 31 (28 analyzed), 81.4 ± 6.2 years, 22 F CG: n = 28 (24 analyzed), 83.1 ± 6.3 years, 19 F |
Otago exercise program of balance and strength retraining exercises |
Intervention: Duration: 6 m Session: 30 min Frequency: 3×/week Format: home-based Home exercise: yes Follow-up: 6 months |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 15 | Logan et al. [129] | Total: n = 204, 78.86 years IG: n = 102 (82 analyzed), 67 F CG: n = 102 (75 analyzed), 65 F |
Strength, balance exercises, and occupational functional therapy. |
Intervention: Duration: 1.5 months Session: 2 h Frequency: 2×/week Format: group Home exercise: yes Follow-up: 12 m |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 16 | Logghe et al. [97] | Total: n = 269 IG: n = 138 (114 analyzed), 77.5 ± 4.7 years, 96 F CG: n = 131 (99 analyzed), 76.8 ± 4.6 years, 95 F |
Tai Chi Yang style (10 positions) |
Intervention: Duration: 3.2 months Session: 1 h Frequency: 2×/week Format: group Home exercise: yes Follow-up: 12 months |
No significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 17 | Lord et al. [101] | Total: n = 197 IG: n = 100 (75 analyzed), 71.6 ± 5.5 years CG: n = 97 (94 analyzed), 71.7 ± 5.3 years |
Strength exercises: lifting one’s own body weight (push up exercise), opposing muscle group resistive exercises, balance training: standing on the one leg, hand-eye and foot-eye coordination, ballgames requiring catching with the one hand while standing or moving, kicking a moving ball, throwing to a moving target, running under a skipping rope, and team ballgames |
Intervention: Duration: 12 months (four 10–12 weeks terms) with 2 weeks interterm breaks and 5 weeks holiday break. Session:1 h Frequency: 2×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 12 months |
No significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 18 | Means et al. [86] | Total: n = 99 IG: n = 47 (31 analyzed), 75 ± 4.9 years CG: n = 52 (34 analyzed), 75 ± 5.7 years |
Balance and mobility exercises: postural control, flexibility, endurance walking, and muscle coordination exercises with training on obstacle courses |
Intervention: Duration: 1.5 months Session: 1 h Frequency: 3×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 6 months |
No significant reduction in fall rate |
| 19 | Means et al. [98] | Total: n = 338, 73.5 years, 193 F IG: n = 181 (144 analyzed) CG: n = 157 (94 analyzed) |
Balance, strength, and mobility program: Active stretching, postural control, endurance walking, and coordination exercises to improve balance and mobility, strengthening exercises for abdomen, upper, and lower limb muscles |
Intervention: Duration: 1.5 months Session: 90 min Frequency: 3×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 6 months |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 20 | Morgan et al. [84] | Total: n = 229 IG: n = 119, 81 ± 7.6 years, 86 F CG: n = 110, 80.1 ± 7.4 years, 76 F |
Low-intensity exercise program in sitting and standing postures targeting muscle strength and joint flexibility |
Intervention: Duration: 2 months Session: 45 min Frequency: 3×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 12 months |
Significant reduction in fall risk in participants with low physical function level |
| 21 | Salminen et al. [130] | Total: n = 591 IG: n = 293 (290 analyzed), 251 F CG: n = 298 (292 analyzed), 246 F |
Balance, coordination and weight shifting exercises, and circuit training for muscle strength |
Intervention: Duration: 12 months Session: 45 min Frequency: 1×/2 weeks Format: group Home exercise: yes Follow-up: 24 months after the end of intervention |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 22 | Suzuki et al. [99] | Total: n = 52 IG: n = 28 (22 analyzed), 77.31 ± 3.40 years CG: n = 24 (22 analyzed), 78.64 ± 4.39 years |
Muscle strength training, balance, and gait training, and Tai Chi exercises |
Intervention: Duration: 6 months Session: 1 h Frequency: 1×/2 weeks Format: group Home exercise: yes Follow-up: 20 months |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 23,24 | Taylor et al. [76]a,b | Total: n = 684 IG (a): n = 233 (180 analyzed), 75.3 ± 7.0 years, 161 F IG (b): n = 220 (174 analyzed), 74.4 ± 6.2 years, 165 F CG: n = 231 (174 analyzed), 73.7 ± 6.2 years, 176 F |
IG (a): Tai Chi exercises once weekly IG (b): Tai Chi exercises twice weekly |
Intervention: Duration: 5 months Session: 1 h Frequency: 1×/week (IG a), 2×/week (IG b) Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 17 months from study entry point |
No significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 25 | Trombetti et al. [88] | Total: n = 134 IG: n = 66 (56 analyzed), 75 ± 8 years, 64 F CG: n = 68 (56 analyzed), 76 ± 6 years, 65 F |
Music-based multi-task exercise program (i.e., Jaques-Dalcroze eurhythmics), e.g., handling of objects (balls), walking in time to the music, and responding to changes in the music’s rhythmic patterns. The exercises challenged the balance by requiring multidirectional weight shifting, walk-and-turn sequences, and exaggerated upper body movements during walking and standing |
Intervention: Duration: 6.2 months Session: 1 h Frequency: 1×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 6 months |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 26 | Uusi-Rasi et al. [87] | Total: n = 175 IG: n = 86, 74.8 ± 2.9 years, 86 F CG: n = 89, 73.8 ± 3.1 years, 89 F |
Progressive strength, balance, agility, and mobility training. |
Intervention: Duration: 24 m Session: 1 h Frequency: 2×/week in the first year, 1×/week in the second year Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 24 months after the end of intervention |
No significant reduction in fall rate |
| 27 | Weerdesteyn et al. [100] | Total: n = 113 IG: n = 79 (78 analyzed), 73.4 ± 5.4 years, 63 F CG: n = 28 (28 analyzed), 74.9 ± 6.5 years, 19 F |
Balance, gait, and coordination training in an obstacle course; e.g., walking over stepping stones. The second session in the week: walking with different speeds and directions. Practicing fall techniques in forward, backward, and lateral directions |
Intervention: Duration: 1.2 months Session: 1.5 h Frequency: 2×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 7 months |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 28 | Whitehead et al. [85] | Total: n = 140 IG: n = 70 (58 analyzed), 79.5 ± 6.8 years, 48 F CG: n = 70 (65 analyzed), 76.1 ± 6.9 years, 52 F |
No exercise descriptions are stated |
Intervention: Duration: 3 months Session: 1–2 h Frequency: 1–2×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 6 months (from the moment of group assignment) |
No significant reduction in fall risk |
| 29 | Yamada et al. [78] | Total: n = 60 IG: n = 30 (29 analyzed) CG: n = 30 (29 analyzed) |
Trail-walking exercise: walking (multidirectional steps in the forward, backward, lateral, and oblique directions) from/around numbered flags. In addition to 20-min moderate intensity aerobic exercise, 20-min progressive strength training, 10-min flexibility and balance exercises |
Intervention: Duration: 4 months Session: 1.5 h Frequency: 1×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 12 months |
No significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 30 | Yamada et al. [79] | Total: n = 157 IG: n = 78 (72 analyzed), 85.8 ± 5.9 years, 63 F CG: n = 79 (73 analyzed), 85.3 ± 5.7 years, 64 F |
Complex obstacle negotiation exercise; adding obstacles to the area of trail walk exercises and increasing the difficulty throughout the training |
Intervention: Duration: 6 months Session: 45 min Frequency: 1×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 12 months |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
| 31 | Yamada et al. [77] | Total: n = 264 IG: n = 132 (112 analyzed), 76.2 ± 8.5 years, 67 F CG: n = 132 (118 analyzed), 77.2 ± 7.6 years, 65 F |
Multi-target stepping tasks in the form of walking in different zigzag patterns, moderate intensity aerobic exercise (5 min), progressive strength training (10 min), flexibility, and balance exercises (15 min) |
Intervention: Duration: 6 months Session: ~ 35 min Frequency: 2×/week Format: group Home exercise: no Follow-up: 12 months |
Significant reduction in fall rate and risk |
Unless otherwise indicated, the CG did not exercise. The studies followed by the letters a or b or c mean that they include different intervention groups, and each letter resembles one intervention group
F female, IG intervention group, CG control group, AP anteroposterior, ML medio-lateral, RM repetition maximum
aAge data are mean ± standard deviation
bThe number in parentheses indicates is the number of the participants who continued the follow-up duration to the end, and their fall diaries were included in the final analysis