Mobility

Research summary

• Evidence on mobility and flexibility training is supported by a Cochrane systematic review showing mobility training improves function in frail older adults, alongside randomized trials in specific clinical populations such as stroke and Parkinson's disease showing gains in walking and motor function.
• Much of the evidence comes from clinical or frailty-specific populations rather than the general population, and study designs and outcomes vary considerably between conditions, which limits how directly the findings generalize to fall prevention in typical older adults.
• The overall direction of evidence is positive for functional benefit in vulnerable groups, but the evidence base is more fragmented across different populations than for core exercise modalities like resistance or aerobic training.