Why is balance training important for arthritis?
Balance training for people with arthritis is important in preventing falls and possible injury. A fall can happen at any age but carries increased risk with age. i.e. 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 will have a fall.
We tend to associate specific balance improvement exercises with older people who have had a fall in order to reduce the chance that they will have another. But this is like shutting the stable door once the horse has bolted!
Most people do not appreciate the complex combination of our visual, vestibular (inner ear) and proprioception systems that work together to keep us upright and to move at will.  With advancing age these systems are more likely to be compromised so it is never too late to including balance work as part of regular exercise, but here is the kicker – it is also never too early.