[Frequency of falls and their prevention]

In Japan, one in five elderly persons has experienced falls in the past one year, and 10%of these falls lead to fractures. In the elderly, fracture is a major factor impeding the independence of daily activities and quality of life, and hence is an important problem. Given this situation, many studies that validate the effects of exercise programs aiming at the prevention of falls have been reported recently. Especially, the strategy of disseminating falls prevention exercise programs for the elderly in the community aiming to raise the falls prevention awareness and maintain or improve physical function is expected to lower the frequency of falls as well as to prolong functional independence and extend the healthy life-span.