The OtagoExercises

Be sure to consult with your healthcare team before beginning any exercise program.
Front Knee Strengthening Left & Right
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Sitting in a chair with your weights on your ankle.

Feet shoulder width apart, slowly & in a controlled smooth movement, straighten your leg as you can tolerate.

Slowly return your foot to the ground. Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.

Side Hip Strengthening Left & Right
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Sitting in a chair with your weights on your ankle.

Feet shoulder width apart, slowly & in a controlled smooth movement, straighten your leg as you can tolerate.

Slowly return your foot to the ground. Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.

Back Knee Strengthening Left & Right
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Hold chair for balance if needed.

With your weights on your ankle, bend your knee bringing your heel up towards your buttocks. Slowly lower your foot down. Make sure your knee does not move forward when you bend it. Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.

Tightrope Standing Left & Right
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Stand with one foot directly in front of the other, heel to toe. Make sure that your knees are slightly bent, hips stay level, and back is straight. Perform for the prescribed amount of time.

Sit To Stand
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Sit in a chair with feet shoulder-width apart. Lean forward slowly stand up straight – try not to use your hands. Do not allow your knees to collapse inward, and then return to the starting position. Perform the prescribed number of repetitions.

Squat
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Stand tall, face/hold chair, feet shoulder-width apart. Start with a shallow squat ~halfway down. Progress to a full squat, go as deep as possible, thighs parallel to the ground. Drive hips back as if sitting in a chair, chest up, knees over your feet.

Heel Raise
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Use a chair for balance. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and hold onto the chair with one hand. Shift your weight on to your toes and slowly raise your heels off of the ground. Return to the ground slowly, with control. Perform the number of repetitions prescribed.

One Leg Stand
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Use a chair for balance. While standing on your left leg, lift your right foot off of the ground by bending your right knee behind you. Try to stand upright and keep your balance for the prescribed time. Over time, try to decrease the use of your hand on the chair.

Tightrope Forward Walk
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Stand up tall and try to limit the use of your hands, look straight ahead and place one foot in front of the other to form a straight line. Then place the foot behind directly in front of the other. Repeat for the required number of repetitions.

Tightrope Backward Walk
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Stand up tall near a table and look ahead. Initially hold on through this exercise & slowly decrease your use of hand as appropriate. Place one foot directly behind the other foot to form a straight line. Then place the foot in front directly behind the other. Repeat for about 10 steps then turn around and repeat. Perform the prescribed number of repetitions.

Heel Walking
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Stand up tall near a wall or table. Come back onto your heels, raising the front of your foot off the floor. Use your hands as needed for safety. Look straight ahead and walk 10 steps on your heels. Lower your feet to the ground and turn around. Come back onto your heels again and walk 10 steps on your heels back to the starting position. Repeat for the number of repetitions prescribed.

Toe Walking
Group Otago|Otago Fall Prevention Exercises

Stand up tall near a wall or table. Use your hands as needed for safety. Come up on to your toes and take 10 steps. Lower your heels to the ground and turn around. Come up onto your toes again and walk 10 steps back to the starting position. Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.