WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
StandingTall is a home-based balance exercise program to help improve your balance. The balance exercises are tailored to match your specific needs and ability. You will be guided through each exercise with safety advice, an instructional video, and animations.
The exercises will also progress to ensure they remain challenging. The program will track your performance over time to help you stay motivated.
You can decide when and for how long you exercise in each session. You can exercise as often as you like. If you want to exercise for longer than our recommendations, feel free to do so. However, make sure you pace yourself and take a break if you are feeling tired.
You can use the program by yourself in your own home without the need for assistance from a health professional.
WHO CAN USE IT
Anyone who wants to improve their balance and reduce their risk of falling. StandingTall is recommended for people aged 60 year or over, who can walk within their own home without the use of a walking aid.
The StandingTall program is tailored to your abilities. If you use a walking aid when you go outside, the program will make sure the exercises start easy and only get more challenging when you are ready.
If you are still very active and would like to maintain your balance, then the exercises will be progressed to a harder level to make sure it is challenging for you.
If you have a medical condition that makes it unsafe to participate in an unsupervised program, please talk to your doctor or health professional before starting.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
We know that specific balance and strength exercises for 2 hours per week can reduce falls risk in older people. We also know that the national physical activity guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.
Initially, the aim is to exercise using the StandingTall program for 6 months - gradually building from 40 minutes to 2 hours per week - which is a great way to safely increase overall activity levels. That should be your first goal.
Built in features of StandingTall:
Calendar
A calendar where you can schedule your exercise sessions
Goal setting
It has a goal setting feature to keep you motivated
Progression
It keeps a record of your training so that you can track your progress