Exercise programmes reduce falls in older people living in the community

Well‐designed exercise programmes reduced the rate of falls and the number of people experiencing falls among older people living in the community (high‐certainty evidence). Exercise reduced the number of people experiencing one or more fall‐related fractures and the number of people experiencing one or more falls requiring medical attention (low‐certainty evidence). There was uncertainty about the effect of exercise programmes on the number of people who experienced one or more falls requiring hospital admission. Exercise made little important difference to health‐related quality of life (low‐certainty evidence). Exercise programmes that reduced falls primarily involved balance and functional exercises, while programmes that probably reduced falls included multiple exercise categories (typically, balance and functional exercises plus resistance exercises). Tai chi also prevented falls but there was uncertainty about the effect of resistance exercise, dance or walking on the rate of falls. Exercise programmes were effective regardless of whether they were delivered individually or in groups, by health professionals or trained non‐health professionals, to younger or older populations (based on a 75-year age threshold) or to those identified at a higher risk of falls or not selected for risk of falls.