Researchers wanted to know if a fall prevention exercise program worked differently when delivered remotely (like through video) versus in person, and if the order mattered. They studied older adults, aged 65 and over, who live independently in the community. The program, called Otago-based training, involves strength and balance exercises. All participants did both remote and in-person training over six months, but in different orders.
The study found that people who started with in-person training showed slightly better short-term improvements on some physical tests, like balance and leg strength, compared to those who started remotely. However, this difference became smaller after everyone switched to the other type of training. Importantly, there was no significant difference between the groups in the number of falls people had over the study period. Two non-severe falls happened during training sessions, one in each type of training.
The main reason to be careful is that this is just one study, and the total number of people in it was not reported. Some results were shared only with p-values, which makes it harder to judge the strength of the findings. Readers should understand that both remote and in-person versions of this exercise program were found to be safe and well-liked by participants. The results suggest that starting with in-person sessions might give a small early boost in physical performance, but a combined approach using both methods is a viable option.
