Regular physical activity is a necessity for people as they get older, not just for fitness but also to prevent falls. 

A new study by researchers at the University of Sydney’s Institute for Musculoskeletal Health looks at whether a dance class designed for older people would be an acceptable choice for a fall prevention program.

Led by Dr Heidi Gilchrist APAM, a researcher working with Professors Cathie Sherrington FACP and Anne Tiedemann at the Institute and a public health lecturer at the University of Sydney, the study will focus on the RIPE (Really Is Possible for Everyone) Dance program developed by dance instructor Gail Hewton specifically for people aged 60 plus. 

RIPE offers tailored classes for three different levels of function and mobility and closely aligns to both the FaME and Otago fall prevention programs, which have been shown to be very effective in preventing falls. 

Gail, along with another dance educator, Julie Chenery, also trains dance instructors to teach older people through their organisation Gold Moves Australia.

Heidi recently completed an evaluation of the RIPE Dance program, demonstrating high levels of engagement and enjoyment, and self-reported improved strength, cognition and social and emotional wellbeing among participants, irrespective of their individual level of functional ability.

‘It’s not exercise to music. It is very definitely dance, which I think is a real difference and increases the enjoyment. 

'The high degree of tailoring for each individual’s ability is also key’ she says.

Heidi says that a big barrier to increasing physical activity in older people is a lack of engagement.

‘Hardly anyone wants to do three sets of 10 leg weights and squats and standing on one leg and a lot of the research about fall prevention programs shows that they’re effective but they’ve got really low attendance and adherence because people don’t find them relevant. 

'So to be able to find something that’s pleasurable and also beneficial would be great. 

Dr Heidi Gilchrist.

'Dance is a really enjoyable and joyful activity,’ she says, noting that in many parts of Australia it is difficult to get into
a physiotherapist-led or physiotherapist-supervised fall prevention program.

‘But we have lots of [community] dance classes and a lot of clients for whom that’s their preferred exercise. 

'It would be nice to be able to recommend things that they enjoy doing.’

Heidi says the next step is to build an evidence base for dance programs like RIPE Dance as a fall prevention program. 

She recently received the inaugural Nancy Low Choy Memorial Gerontology/Neurology Physiotherapy Research Foundation Seeding Grant for a pilot study to look at the acceptability, feasibility and intervention impact of RIPE Dance classes in preparation for a larger randomised controlled trial of the dance classes as a program to reduce falls.

‘I was really pleased to receive the Nancy Low Choy grant because I thought it was a perfect fit for me. 

'She was someone who took a long time out of her academic career and then returned to it very successfully as an older person,’ Heidi says.

The trial, which is expected to take place this year, will involve 30 participants, all aged over 65 and living in the community. 

After a baseline assessment including physical assessment and a self-administered questionnaire, half of the participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention group doing a 75-minute-long dance class taught by Gail Hewton twice a week for 10 weeks, while the other half—the waitlist control group—will carry on with usual activities. 

At the end of the 10- week period, the waitlist control group will be enrolled in the 10-week program. 

Both groups will complete a follow-up survey and physical assessment.

The primary outcome of the study will measure the acceptability of the intervention, looking at how many people completed the program and how many would recommend participation in the program to people like themselves.

Secondary outcomes will focus on study methods and design, including rate of recruitment, reach, retention of participants and adverse events including falls. 

Participants will also do a physical assessment to look at balance, mobility, gait and memory and will complete a self-assessment questionnaire measuring mental wellbeing, quality of life, self-reported physical activity, social connections, balance confidence and dance self-efficacy.

‘I would love to be able to demonstrate that tailored dance programs taught specifically with older people in mind could significantly reduce their risk of falling. 

'The benefit of that would be that physiotherapists like myself could either refer their clients to those classes or run the classes themselves,’ Heidi says.

‘It would increase the suite of physical activities that we can confidently recommend to people for falls prevention, allowing us to find something for everyone. 

'We always say that the most important thing is to do something you like. 

'Otherwise, you’re not going to do it. I can’t wait to be able to offer some of these classes at my practice.’

Call for 2024 Seeding Grant and Beryl Haynes Memorial Grant applications 

Applications for the Physiotherapy Research Foundation Seeding Grants and Beryl Haynes Memorial Grant are now open. 

Both grants are aimed at helping new and early career researchers within any area of physiotherapy. 

However, the Beryl Haynes Memorial Grant is designed to support physiotherapists working or studying in Tasmania in memory of Beryl, a pioneering leader in the Tasmanian health system over decades.

There are seven Seeding Grants on offer, with $12,000 maximum funding available for each grant, and one Beryl Haynes Memorial Grant to the value of $15,000. 

Applicants are required to complete an expression of interest form, followed by a full application for those who are short-listed.

Applications are considered predominantly on the basis of scientific merit, significance and team track record.

Expressions of interest close on Sunday, 3 March 2024.

Click here for application forms and guidelines.

>> Dr Heidi Gilchrist APAM The University of Sydney was awarded a $12,000 PRF Seeeding Grant for the pilot trial "Acceptability and feasibility of the RIPE dance program for preventing falls in people aged 65+.'