Join us on Wednesday, October 22 from 1:00-3:00 pm (MST) when Dr. Melanie Farlie will share insights from the development of the Balance Intensity Scale - a tool designed both for individuals to self-monitor the intensity of their balance exercises and for those supervising programs, such as health professionals and community exercise leaders.
Dr. Farlie is a clinician-researcher with over 24 years of experience spanning clinical practice, leadership, and academia, with a focus on orthogeriatric rehabilitation. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physiotherapy and the Monash Centre for Scholarship in Health Professions Education (MCSHE), where she leads education initiatives and research. As Education Lead for the Monash Musculoskeletal Research Unit and part of the teaching team for key gerontology courses, Dr. Farlie contributes to shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Falls are a major concern across the lifespan, but they are not an inevitable part of ageing. Everyone involved in balance exercise programs plays a crucial role in promoting physical activity and encouraging people to engage in exercises that effectively challenge balance. However, balance exercise is complex. With many factors to consider - such as exercise type, dosage, exercise setting, risk management, and individual needs - understanding how to deliver safe and effective programs can feel overwhelming.
In this session, Dr. Melanie Farlie will share insights from the development of the Balance Intensity Scale - a tool designed both for individuals to self-monitor the intensity of their balance exercises and for those supervising programs, such as health professionals and community exercise leaders. Attendees will explore how measuring balance exercise intensity using the Balance Intensity Scale can support the design of targeted, effective interventions that optimize training and improve fall prevention outcomes.
Whether you're working in clinical settings or leading group exercise in the community, this session will provide actionable insights to sharpen your ability to assess and guide balance exercise intensity.
Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the key principles of balance exercise prescription, including the importance of exercise intensity in improving balance and preventing falls.
2. Assess the intensity of balance exercises using the Balance Intensity Scale, through observation and guided practice.
3. Interpret feedback on the use of the Balance Intensity Scale to improve the accuracy and consistency of ratings.
4. Reflect on their learning and develop an action plan for applying the Balance Intensity Scale and related strategies in a professional or community practice context.
