{
  "id": 17961591,
  "title": "Teaching seniors to master the art of falling safely",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/teaching-seniors-to-master-the-art-of-falling-safely",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-03T12:40:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-seniors-master-art-falling-safely.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Teaching seniors to master the art of falling safely may seem unusual, but allied health professionals are learning from the martial art of judo to help older Australians fall more safely. Adelaide University researchers have developed a training program to teach allied health professionals and judo coaches how to instruct seniors in safe falling techniques. Falls are a major cause of injury and loss of independence among older adults, but judo-based safe falling programs can significantly reduce harm by improving balance, mobility, strength, and safe falling skills. Dr. Agathe Daria Jadczak, an exercise scientist from Adelaide University, explained that the study evaluated a specialized instructor program designed for those without judo experience or prior experience with seniors. The training significantly improved instructors' knowledge, confidence in teaching safe falling techniques, and their own safe falling skills. The program incorporated techniques from the Dynamic Balance for Life (DBfL) Safe Falling program and involved practical sessions on various fall scenarios. After the two-day workshop, participants reported a 89% increase in their safe falling skills and a 77% boost in perceived competence in teaching these techniques to older adults. Physical therapist Meagan Trollope at Resthaven Northern Community Services shared that the instructor training boosted her confidence to teach these modified judo-based safe falling skills to elderly clients in a small group setting. In Australia, about one in four people over 65 experience at least one fall each year, making falls the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations for this age group. The study, published in the Australasian Journal on Ageing, supports the feasibility of training instructors to teach judo-based safe falling techniques to older adults, complementing existing fall prevention strategies.",
  "summary": "Judo and elder care may seem like an unlikely matchup, but allied health professionals are learning how to help older Australians fall more safely by using techniques adapted from the martial art.",
  "key_points": [
    "Adelaide University develops training program for safe falling techniques.",
    "Study evaluates instructor program for non-judo experienced professionals.",
    "Program boosts instructors' knowledge, confidence, and safe falling skills by 89% and 77%."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}