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The Facts about Falls Risk.... Risk 2 Muscle Weakness Muscle strength, especially in our ankles, knees, and hips, can greatly affect our ability to maintain our balance and prevent falls. Specific muscles of the hips, thighs, and ankles are responsible for helping us safely rise up from a chair and control ourselves as we sit back down. Many falls in the elderly happen at this critical time when a person is in the process of getting up or sitting down. Strength in the muscles of the ankles is important to help us recover if we start to lose our balance while we are standing or walking. Picture yourself standing on a bus or another moving object as it suddenly comes to a halt. If you are not holding on, your toes immediately curl under and you rise up on to your toes to prevent yourself from falling. If the muscles in your calves or feet are weak, you may not be able to maintain your balance without holding on. If the muscles that lift the front part of the foot are weak (a condition commonly called "foot drop"), one would have a higher risk of tripping. A brace may be necessary to improve the walking pattern and prevent falls. The good news is that studies have shown that with a prescribed program of exercise, individuals have been able to improve their strength even into their 90's!
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