ABLE Bodies Balance Training offers an activity-based program to improve balance and mobility for both fit and frail older adults. This practical instructor's guide provides more than 130 balance and mobility exercises that consider flexibility, strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance. The exercises enhance older adults' abilities to maintain balance in completing their everyday tasks, thereby fostering increased self-confidence, reducing the occurrence of falls, and improving quality of life.

The text is based on ABLE Bodies techniques, which were proven effective in a randomized, controlled study funded by the National Blueprint and Active Aging Partnership. Results showed that ABLE Bodies training significantly improved balance, mobility, activity levels, gait speed, flexibility, and strength for participants 70 years of age and older living in retirement and assisted living facilities.

ABLE Bodies Balance Training uses current research and a component-based approach to balance training. Instructors are encouraged to use activities covering all five components of the program: flexibility, posture and core stability, strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and balance and mobility. The exercises and activities are easily implemented with the use of existing facilities and inexpensive equipment. They also encourage fun and social interaction, helping instructors to create and maintain an energized and positive environment that improves communication, motivation, and overall progress. The program may be used in group or individual settings and can be customized according to level of experience:

• Beginning instructors can follow the 16-week session plan as a well-balanced training program that safely progress older adults through the exercises. The material is complete and may extend to a yearlong program.
  
• More experienced instructors may select exercises and activities from each of the five component categories to meet the individual needs of their older adult clients. The component-based organization of the text allows instructors to easily incorporate both exercises and conceptual ideas in fun, engaging, and creative ways into their existing programs.

As a bonus, access to a dedicated ABLE Bodies Balance Training Web site is included with the book. It offers 15 downloadable activity handouts that instructors can print out and distribute to patients or clients for use at home. It also offers downloadable handouts of all the balance training activities in the book—over 130 conceptual ideas and activities to choose from either for planning their own sessions or for aiding their delivery of the 16-week session plan. The text also offers a variety of tools, including step-by-step instructions, sample phrasing to use when encouraging participants, ideas on making activities progressively more difficult, and tips on promoting safety while performing the exercises.

The proven exercises and conceptual activities found in ABLE Bodies Balance Training offer both fit and frail seniors increased independence in daily living. By incorporating the ABLE Bodies Balance Training program into their work, fitness and health care professionals will educate and motivate older adults to increase stability and improve self-confidence and health.

Part I: All About ABLE Bodies Balance Training

Chapter 1: Components of ABLE Bodies Training
There’s more to balance training than just balance! This chapter outlines the five components that make up an ABLE bodies training program: flexibility, posture and core stability, strength for a purpose, balance and mobility, and cardiorespiratory endurance.

Chapter 2: Setting Up ABLE Bodies Training Sessions
You know the components, but how do you combine them to create a solid training program? This chapter explains how to set up classes, how to select and progress activities, and how to be a more effective instructor.

Chapter 3: Ensuring Safety in ABLE Bodies Training
No matter how well you set up your training sessions, they aren’t any good without the proper safety guidelines in place. This chapter outlines how to create plans and establish rules, ensure the mental and physical well-being of your participants, and prepare for emergencies.

Part II: ABLE Bodies Balance Training Activities

Chapter 4: Flexibility
Flexibility offers a greater range of motion, and that is key in older adults. In this chapter, you’ll find flexibility activities that can be done while seated or standing, as well as conceptual activities.

Chapter 5: Posture and Core Stability
A strong core is key to good posture and overall balance. This chapter offers activities specific to both posture and core stability, as well as activities that progressively increase strength in these two areas.

Chapter 6: Strength for a Purpose
Overall strength is a goal, but there are also specific areas that need more attention in older populations. In this chapter, you’ll find lots of strength activities for the legs, back, chest, and triceps.

Chapter 7: Balance and Mobility
If you want activities that focus on balance, then this chapter is for you! Activities in this chapter focus on gait, activities of daily living, vision, and motor coordination. You’ll also find games that target all areas.

Chapter 8: Cardiorespiratory Endurance
Adding cardiorespiratory elements to balance training is easy! This chapter offers lots of ideas for setting up sessions dedicated to cardiorespiratory endurance or adding cardiorespiratory endurance activities to your balance classes.

Appendix A: Sample Balance Training Sessions
Appendix B: Template for ABLE Bodies Balance Training Sessions
Appendix C: Certificate of Completion