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Health

Dance mat-style game helps stop older people falling

A game that prompts players to step on different arrows, like a dance
mat, reduced falls among older people

By Sara Novak

2 February 2024

      

[SEI_1894353161]

People were encouraged to play the game, called smart+-step, for at
least 2 hours a week for one year

NeuRA

A dance mat-style game that prompts players to step on different
arrows prevents falls among older people, probably by improving their
strength, balance and reflexes.

Our balance naturally declines with age, with falls being a common
cause of serious injury among older people. Vision problems, muscle
weakness and conditions such as dementia, heart disease and low blood
pressure can also raise the risk.

To help prevent falls, Daina Sturnieks at...

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