NICE Approved
Aligns with the World Guidelines for falls prevention and management initiative 2022
How do our bodies change as we get older? What happens when we have a fall? What can we do to prevent these changes? In this article we discuss how the GaitSmart intervention programme does this, who would benefit and how it compares to physiotherapy.
How our musculoskeletal system changes as we get older
As we get older, aches and pains become more common and start to affect our day to day activities. We have less muscle strength and often our joints become stiff and they can start to cause pain.
Our musculoskeletal system is responsible for keeping us mobile and maintaining our physical health and wellbeing.
Understanding exactly what is going wrong with our muscles and joints is key to knowing how we can put it right.
If left unchecked, these changes will change the way we walk, and how we load our joints. Muscle strength is lost, which is an essential part of walking, and this leads to a loss of balance and increases their risk of having a fall.
What happens when a person suffers a fall?
A fall may cause injury that required hospital care. But in the majority of cases a fall doesn’t cause any lasting injury, but the psychological effect may be profound. The person becomes fearful of walking in case they have another fall, so they do less walking and more sitting. The result is a further reduction in muscle strength, which increases the risk of a further fall.
What can we do to reverse this trend?
Our musculoskeletal system is responsible for keeping us mobile and maintaining our physical health and wellbeing.
Understanding exactly what is going wrong with our muscles and joints is key to knowing how we can put it right.
Stage 1 – Understand the Problem
GaitSmart is a digital tool that measures exactly how you walk, known as your gait. This data is presented to you in a report, using scoring and colour coding so you can understand exactly what is wrong.
Stage 2 – Target Weak Muscle Groups
We then use this digital data to determine which muscles are weaker than they should be. These are the ones that need strengthening. We calculate which ‘Strength and Balance’ exercises address these muscles. ‘Stage 2’ of your rehabilitation is having a personalised set of 6 exercises which target your weak muscles. You receive your report, that provides your colour coded gait report, plus a photo and description of your six exercise to do at home.
Stage 3 – Follow up test 4 weeks later
You will see how your gait has improved from your report. And you will be given a new set of 6 personalised exercises based on your new report.
The GaitSmart rehabilitation programme
The GaitSmart rehabilitation programme has 4 sessions and at the end you will know that your gait has improved. More importantly, you have taken control of your mobility. You have your confidence back and can get back to your normal day to day activities.
And if anything goes wrong, or you start to get worried again in the future, you can simply come back for another test and see what’s changed since your last test, and get a new set of exercises.
Who would benefit from our GaitSmart programme
Anyone over 60 who feels that they’re not walking properly for any reason, anyone who has had a fall, or is fearful of falling.
Our evidence shows this approach works on people from minor issues to significant muscle loss.
The benefit over physiotherapy led Falls Prevention Programmes
Our GaitSmart programme follows exactly the same process; measure and then provide an exercise programme. The difference is you get a precise measurement and it is provided in an easy to understand report. And our exercises are calculated from your data. This means that it doesn’t matter who you see, you will get exactly the same report and exercises.
In summary:
- You have a report that shows exactly what is wrong and how bad it is
- You have a personalised exercise plan, included in your report, for you to follow at home
- You can share this report with family members or friends if you wish.
- Follow up appointments show you your improvements, so encourage you to continue
- Your data is stored. So, if something happens after you’ve completed the programme, you have your own reference and can do something about it.