Falls: Why They Matter—and What You Can Do About Them
- MÜV Fitness Trainer - Edwin Xu
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
After doing many fitness assessments over the years, one concern comes up again and again with both new and current clients: falls.
People aren’t just worried about getting hurt. They’re worried about losing their independence, their confidence, and their quality of life. And honestly, that fear is very real.
As we get older, staying active and confident is key to enjoying life for as long as possible. But falls can quickly change everything. The good news? There are simple, effective ways to reduce the risk—and even learn how to fall more safely if it happens.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 4 adults age 65 and older falls each year. That’s over 14 million people in the U.S. About 3 million older adults visit the emergency room annually due to fall-related injuries, including hip fractures, head injuries, and broken bones. Falls are also the leading cause of injury-related deaths in this age group, with nearly 39,000 lives lost in recent years—and the numbers continue to rise.
The impact of a fall goes far beyond the injury itself. These injuries can change everything—longer hospital stays, loss of mobility, and fear of going out. Falls don’t just affect one person; they deeply affect the people who love them, bringing worry, stress, and changes to everyday life for the whole family. And often, the biggest loss isn’t just medical—it’s the loss of freedom, confidence, and joy in daily life.
Preventing falls is always the goal. Balance exercises, strength training, regular health checkups, and vision and medication reviews all help. But even with prevention, falls can still happen. That’s where learning how to fall safely can make a big difference.
Our natural instinct is to tense up or reach out with our hands—often leading to wrist fractures or head injuries. Gentle techniques inspired by practices like Tai Chi and Aikido teach you to relax, protect your head, and spread impact across safer areas of the body. Research shows older adults can learn these skills quickly, reducing impact forces on the hips by up to 33%, and even more for the head.
We like to keep the rules simple:
Protect your head
Always protect your head
Follow rules one and two
If you believe you’re at risk of falling, talk with your doctor about the CDC’s STEADI fall risk check, and consider working with a qualified fitness professional or joining a fall safety class.
Exciting update: We’ll soon be hosting an 8-week gentle safe-falling class, designed especially for older adults. Classes will be held on soft mats in a supportive, safe environment, building skills step by step. Spots will be limited, so email us or send us an inquiry if you’d like to register.
Because staying active, confident, and independent starts with one simple choice:
Just MÜV.
Please check these article to learn the “15 Surprising Things That Increases Your Risk of Falling”
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