Strengthening foot muscles to improve balance and reduce falls in older adults
Official title: CE-22-006 The effects of intrinsic foot muscle strengthening interventions on balance, proprioception, and fall risk in adults over age 65
Funded at Springfield College · NIH-10827488 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exercises and special shoes can help older adults improve their balance and foot strength to prevent falls and stay safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Springfield College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Springfield, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $331,533 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CE003495-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10827488 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults over 65 who can walk short distances, with or without assistance, and do not have significant foot or lower extremity issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with poor foot sensation, recent lower extremity injuries, or cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how strengthening the intrinsic foot muscles can enhance balance, proprioception, and reduce the risk of falls in adults over 65 years old. The study will involve two interventions: using minimally cushioned footwear and performing specific strengthening exercises targeting these muscles. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the interventions, and their progress will be monitored to assess improvements in foot strength, balance, and overall mobility. The goal is to determine effective strategies to prevent falls, which are a significant health risk for older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective interventions that significantly reduce fall risk and improve mobility in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that strengthening exercises can improve balance and reduce fall risk in older adults, suggesting this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Springfield College
Springfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Futrell, Erin — Springfield College
- Study coordinator: Futrell, Erin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Modular Balance Walkway to Prevent Falls in Older Adults
A team is building a modular, clinic-friendly walkway that simulates real-world slipping and tripping to help older adults stay steady and safe.
-
Aging after traumatic brain injury — balance and fall risk
This work checks whether adults who had a moderate traumatic brain injury at least 15 years ago have more balance problems and higher fall risk as they age.
-
How inner ear changes affect balance and fall risk as we age
This project looks at whether age-related changes in the inner ear make balance worse and raise the chance of falling for older adults.
-
How traumatic brain injuries affect aging and balance in older adults
This study is looking at how brain injuries from earlier in life might affect your balance and thinking skills as you get older, even if you feel like you've fully recovered, and it's for people who have had a traumatic brain injury and want to understand how it could impact their health in the future.
-
Using electrical stimulation to improve balance training for stroke survivors at risk of falling
This study is looking at a new way to help people who have had a stroke and struggle with balance, by using a special training program that combines electrical stimulation with balance exercises to make it easier for them to stay steady and avoid falls.
-
Movement-Enhanced Walking Training to Improve Balance After Stroke
A specialized treadmill training using a cable-driven device, called Movement Amplification Environment (MAE), helps people with chronic stroke improve walking balance by enhancing their own movement awareness.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.