Injury Matters delivers two Stay On Your Feet® Move Improve Remove campaigns each year, focusing on modifiable risk factors for falls under the Move Your Body, Improve Your Health and Remove Hazards messages. The Move Improve Remove grants program provides groups and organisations with the opportunity to deliver falls prevention programs targeting older adults within their community.
Background
The City of South Perth designed and delivered a strength and balance falls prevention program for older adults living in their community, supported by a Stay On Your Feet® Move Your Body community grant. Seventeen older adults engaged in a structured strength and balance program to prevent falls and promote healthy ageing, developing a supportive community environment.
Partnerships and collaboration
Establishing stakeholder relationships is essential to the delivery and sustainability of falls prevention programs. The City of South Perth engaged and collaborated with Outdoor Active South Perth, Manning Seniors Centre, South Perth Seniors Centre, Southcare and Moorditj Keila to promote their program, ensuring the program meets the needs of priority populations in the area and culturally appropriate.
Promotion of the program was carried out through the City of South Perth’s social media channels, website as well as a poster designed and displayed at the Senior Citizens Centres.
Objectives
- As a result of taking part in the grant program, 50% of participants will demonstrate increased knowledge of strength and balance exercises for falls prevention.
- As a result of taking part in the program, 50% of participants will demonstrate an increased intention to maintain ongoing strength and balance exercises for falls prevention.
- As a result of the program, 50% of participants will demonstrate an increased balance and strength level.
Implementation
The program consisted of sixteen low-impact exercise sessions using the outdoor gym equipment in McDougall Park, Como, and was implemented between March and May 2024.
In addition to utilising the existing outdoor exercise equipment, sessions were held on the adjacent grassy area, facilitating walking exercises and incorporating suitable resistance training with weights. Each class ran for 45 minutes and was facilitated by local outdoor fitness specialists and partners of the program Outdoor Active South Perth (OASP). This is a destination park with a nature playground, lake and plenty of wildlife, and a popular location for outdoor exercise.

Measurement tools
The team at Outdoor Active conducted falls risk assessments prior to the program, as well as a survey to assess participants’ knowledge of strength and balance to prevent falls. This was used as an evaluation tool pre- and post-program, as well as the Timed Up and Go test, Sit to Stand test, and 4-stage Balance test. Participants were also given simple take-home exercises to continue exercises at home in between sessions.
Evaluation and impact
Overall, participants reported an increased knowledge and awareness of strength and balance exercises to prevent falls.

- 100% of participants had improved results for the Timed Up and Go test
- 94% of participants showed improvements in their Sit to Stand test.
- 94% of participants indicated they intended to continue strength and balances exercises weekly.
- The 4-Stage Balance Test showed similar results before and after; however, given this is a short time period, no significant improvements in strength and balance are expected.
City of South Perth Move Your Body Participant
It’s been a great initiative for seniors, supported by attendance, to promote exercise, fitness & social connection.
Sustainability
Participates indicated their intention to continue their falls prevention journey and attend the weekly strength and balance sessions for older adults at the Outdoor Active Clinic which is local and affordable.
Grant coaching and support
The capacity building nature of the Move Improve Remove grants program allows Injury Matters to support groups and build skills among applicants through grant coaching. Coaching may include assessing need, planning, and delivery of a project, or evaluation to increase project sustainability. The grants program also helps to raise awareness among older adults of falls prevention strategies for each campaign.
If you would like to receive coaching or support for our next round of Stay On Your Feet® grant applications please reach out to the Grants Coordinator 6166 7688 or at [email protected].