5 meta-analyses
Physical · Overview
Neuromotor Fitness: Balance, Agility & Coordination
How trainable balance reduces fall risk and improves balance.
Any levelHome or group class
Before you start
Begin near a stable support; progress challenge only when the current level is steady and controlled.
When to seek a professional
- Two or more falls in the past 12 months, or any fall with injury
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting during standing or movement
- New or worsening unsteadiness, neurological symptoms, or numbness in the feet
- Fear of falling severe enough to restrict daily activity
3×/week, 30–60 min of progressively challenging balance work; more than about 3 h/week sustained ≥12 weeks for meaningful fall reduction
The research behind this entry establishes something about dose, but not these exact parameters; treat them as a practical way to apply the finding rather than as the finding itself.
None required; optional mat, sturdy chair/rail for supportFor most adultsOlder adultsNew to thisAt risk of fallsAthletes
What the evidence says
What the sources say
Large bodies of pooled trial evidence show that structured balance training measurably improves balance and reduces falls, with balance-challenging content and higher dose the active ingredients. This overview frames the concepts (why it works) and practices (how to train) that follow.
Common misconceptions
- 'Any activity trains balance equally' (specific, progressively challenging balance work drives the effect)
What we won't claim
- Does not guarantee prevention of any fall or injury
- Not a substitute for medical evaluation of dizziness, syncope, or unexplained falls
- Does not diagnose or treat vestibular, neurological, or orthopedic disease
5 meta-analyses
- Agreement
- consistent for this claim. Direction recorded for 2 of 5 sources; not yet recorded for the rest.
- The claim's outcome
- Outcome not yet recorded
- Certainty
- No source states a certainty rating.
- Authors
- Sources share authors: C. Sherrington (first author of 2 sources); S. Lord (senior author of 2 sources).
What each source measured and concluded (5)
meta-analysis · 2016
Sherrington et al. (2016) — Exercise to prevent falls in older adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
- What it measured
- Rate of falls in older adults.
- How it was read
- read in full text
- What the review says it includes
- systematic review with meta-analysis
- Studies and participants, as stated
- N = 19,478 participants across 88 studies
meta-analysis · 2023
Chen et al. (2023) — Tai Chi for fall prevention and balance improvement in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- What it measured
- Number of fallers, number of falls, balance assessment indicators (TUG, FRT, SLB, BBS, SPPB, FES, gait speed).
- How it measured it
- Standardized tests (TUG, FRT, SLB, BBS, SPPB, FES, gait speed assessment).
- How it was read
- read in full text
- What the review says it includes
- meta-analysis, systematic review
- Studies and participants, as stated
- N = 4,497 participants across 24 studies
- Heterogeneity, as stated
- Potential heterogeneity across studies
meta-analysis · 2025
Zhang et al. (2025) — Effects of different exercise modalities on balance performance in healthy older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- What it measured
- Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), gait speed (GS), and one-leg stance with eyes open (OLSEO).
- How it measured it
- Validated clinical scales and tests: BBS, TUG, OLSEO, and GS.
- How it was read
- read in full text
- What the review says it includes
- systematic review and network meta-analysis
- Studies and participants, as stated
- N = 5,114 participants across 93 studies
meta-analysis · 2011
Sherrington et al. (2011) — Exercise to prevent falls in older adults: an updated meta-analysis and best practice recommendations.
- What it measured
- Rate of falls
- Direction it states for the claim's outcome
- Improved
- How it was read
- read in full text
- What the review says it includes
- systematic review with meta-analysis
- Studies and participants, as stated
- N = not reported participants across 54 studies
meta-analysis · 2024
Pillay et al. (2024) — Falls prevention interventions for community-dwelling older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of benefits, harms, and patient values and preferences
- What it measured
- Number of fallers, falls, injurious fallers, fractures, hip fractures, residential status/institutionalization, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), functional status.
- How it measured it
- EQ-5D utility measurement for HRQoL; other outcomes likely measured through trial data, but specific tools not detailed.
- Direction it states for the claim's outcome
- Improved
- How it was read
- read in full text
- What the review says it includes
- systematic review with meta-analysis
- Studies and participants, as stated
- N = 167,864 participants across 219 studies
Key sources (5)
Every source below is shown with its study design and links to the original study. This is the audit trail.
meta-analysisExercise to prevent falls in older adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
meta-analysisTai Chi for fall prevention and balance improvement in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
meta-analysisEffects of different exercise modalities on balance performance in healthy older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
meta-analysisExercise to prevent falls in older adults: an updated meta-analysis and best practice recommendations.
meta-analysisFalls prevention interventions for community-dwelling older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of benefits, harms, and patient values and preferences
Explore all 718 studies in Neuromotor (Balance/Agility/Coordination) →
The full evidence base this focus area draws on, every study with its design and DOI.What it is for
Feel steadier on my feetMove more freelyMove with better coordination and quicknessReduce my risk of fallingStay capable as I get older