title: Balance training reduces falls risk in older individuals with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the effects of balance/strength training on falls risk and posture in older individuals with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen individuals with type 2 diabetes and 21 age-matched control subjects (aged 50-75 years) participated. Postural stability and falls risk was assessed before and after a 6-week exercise program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diabetic individuals had significantly higher falls risk score compared with control subjects. The diabetic group also exhibited evidence of mild-to-moderate neuropathy, slower reaction times, and increased postural sway. Following exercise, the diabetic group showed significant improvements in leg strength, faster reaction times, decreased sway, and, consequently, reduced falls risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older individuals with diabetes had impaired balance, slower reactions, and consequently a higher falls risk than age-matched control subjects. However, all these variables improved after resistance/balance training. Together these results demonstrate that structured exercise has wide-spread positive effects on physiological function for older individuals with type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. smorriso@odu.edu
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Sheri R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Colberg
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mariano
authors.forename: Henri K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Parson
authors.forename: Arthur I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Vinik
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*