Fifty people attended the April Falls Event to hear Jeanette Richards, Manager Strength for Life and other experts about frailty and risk of falls, medicines and falls and the importance of strength and balance exercises.

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The Balance Mat proved to have huge novelty value among the 28 people who stepped on the four mats to have their balance tested and the four UNISA exercise physiology students who assisted.

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Balance Mat General Manager Ian Bergman noted the buzz in the room. “People were so excited. They’d never seen anything that could actually measure their balance before. They were happily queuing to have their turn on the mat and seeking reassurance that their balance was normal”

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“The results are fascinating,” he said. “Of the 28 people tested on the Balance Mat 25 scored less than 0.35 and the remaining three scored 0.7, 0.8 and 1.7. These three high scorers have poor balance and could be at risk of falling.”

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“The good thing is that COTA is educating these people early and working hard to prevent falls in our community.”

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