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Judo and elder care may seem like an unlikely matchup, but allied health professionals are learning how to help older Australians fall more safely by using techniques adapted from the martial art.

Adelaide University researchers have been involved in developing a targeted instructor program to train allied health professionals and judo coaches so they can teach seniors safe falling skills.

"Falls are a leading cause of injury and loss of independence among older adults, but there's strong evidence to suggest that judo-based safe falling programs can help minimize harm by reducing fear and improving balance, mobility, strength and safe falling skills," said Dr. Agathe Daria Jadczak, an exercise scientist and researcher from Adelaide University's School of Medicine.

"In this study, we tested a specially developed instructor program designed to train allied health professionals with no judo experience and judo coaches who hadn't worked with seniors before, with the aim of helping them to deliver safe falling training to older Australians.

"We found that instructors' knowledge, their perceived competence in teaching safe falling to older adults and their own safe falling skills improved significantly following the training.

"These findings support our push to have this instructor program rolled out broadly across community and clinical settings."

About 16 allied health professionals from the elder care sector and judo coaches participated in the instructor training. It incorporated safe falling techniques from the evidence-based Dynamic Balance for Life (DBfL) Safe Falling program developed by Adelaide University researchers and the Adelaide University Judo Club.

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