If you’re looking for more reasons to get your daily exercise, here’s another good one: Regular exercise may improve older people’s balance, according to recent research. When you’re steadier on your feet, you may be better able to walk without falling.

The researchers who recently announced this finding compiled the results of 34 earlier studies involving nearly 3,000 older people. They found that supervised exercise programs often improved people’s balance and coordination. Many types of exercise seemed helpful, but activities that were especially useful were strength training and exercises that specifically challenged and improved balance, coordination, and walking ability.

Although this study didn’t measure whether the improved balance reduced peoples’ risk of falling, that’s definitely a possible benefit, according to one of the study’s authors. Falls are associated with injuries, loss of independence, and even an earlier death – so staying steady on your feet is definitely a way to help you avoid some hazards to your health.

Sources: Medical Journals and News Services

Additional information on the study referenced can be found by searching "Exercise for Improving Balance" in The Cochrane Library.

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