Osteoporosis and falls prevention go hand in hand. While maintaining bone health is essential for reducing fracture risk, improving strength, balance and mobility can also help people move more safely and maintain their independence.
Marked annually on 20 October, World Osteoporosis Day raises awareness of osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures, particularly in the hip, spine and wrist.
Medical assessment and appropriate osteoporosis treatment remain essential. However, physical function is another important part of fracture prevention. Muscle strength, balance, walking ability and confidence with movement can all influence a person's risk of falling and their ability to remain active.
How Does Exercise Help with Osteoporosis and Falls Prevention?
Australian clinical guidance supports appropriately prescribed exercise as part of osteoporosis management and falls prevention. Depending on individual needs and physical capacity, this may include:
Progressive resistance training to improve muscle strength and physical function.
Weight-bearing activity to support bone health where appropriate.
Balance training to improve postural control and reduce falls risk.
Functional movement training to support everyday activities such as standing from a chair, walking and changing direction.
Exercise should be tailored to the individual, particularly for people with existing vertebral fractures, frailty, significant balance difficulties or a high risk of falling. A suitably qualified health professional can help determine which activities are appropriate.
How Coelevate Supports Balance, Mobility and Falls Risk Assessment
At Coelevate, we look beyond bone health alone to consider the physical functions that contribute to stability and safe movement.
Depending on the individual's presentation and goals, an assessment may include the following.
1. Objective Balance Assessment
Our BTrackS force-plate system can measure postural sway, providing objective information about balance performance. These findings can help identify balance difficulties and inform decisions about targeted balance training.
2. Functional Strength and Mobility Testing
Measures such as the Timed Up and Go test, sit-to-stand testing, gait assessment and grip strength can help establish a baseline of physical function.
These measures may also be repeated over time to monitor changes in mobility, strength and functional capacity.
3. Vestibular and Proprioceptive Assessment
Balance depends on the integration of information from the visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems. When dizziness, reduced position awareness or sensory difficulties contribute to instability, further assessment may help identify areas requiring attention.
4. Individualised Balance and Movement Retraining
Assessment findings can guide an individualised approach to balance, strength and movement retraining, with exercises selected according to the person's abilities, clinical needs and goals.
The aim is to support safer movement, improve functional capacity and help people maintain confidence in their everyday activities.
Whole-Body Vibration and Bone Health: What Does the Evidence Say?
Whole-body vibration is an emerging area of interest in osteoporosis research. Some systematic reviews suggest that it may offer benefits for bone mineral density in certain older and postmenopausal populations.
However, study results vary, and the evidence does not establish whole-body vibration as a replacement for established osteoporosis treatment or recommended exercise programs.
Coelevate is preparing to introduce whole-body vibration as an additional option to consider within an appropriately individualised care plan. Its suitability will depend on the person's health, functional capacity and clinical circumstances.
Supporting Stronger Movement, Not Just Stronger Bones
Osteoporosis management involves more than bone density alone. Strength, balance, mobility and confidence all contribute to a person's ability to stay active and participate in everyday life.
At Coelevate, our approach focuses on assessing the physical functions that influence movement and using those findings to guide individualised care.
The goal is to help people remain strong, steady and confident enough to keep doing the activities that matter to them.
If you have concerns about balance, mobility or falls risk alongside osteoporosis, contact Coelevate to discuss whether a functional assessment may be appropriate.
References
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Healthy Bones Australia. 2024 guideline for osteoporosis management and fracture prevention in postmenopausal women and men over 50 years of age. Medical Journal of Australia. 2025;222(9).
Exercise and Sports Science Australia. Updated position statement on exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2024.
Zong B, et al. Therapeutic effects of whole-body vibration on postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research. 2024. PMID: 39504068.
Massini DA, et al. Effect of whole-body vibration training on bone mineral density in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ. 2025;13. PMID: 40391029.
