This week in The Mobility Brief, work from Manuel Montero-Odasso examines the global state of fall prevention for older adults, from policy integration to minimal action across 18 countries. We also look at research identifying which combinations of modifiable risk factors have the most detrimental effect on cognition over three years. A separate trial on older adults with mild cognitive impairment reveals how combining aerobic-resistance exercise with cognitive training can affect gait performance and the risk of falls, and whether vitamin D supplementation offers any additional benefits.

There is no global overview of how different countries are using the 2022 world guidelines for preventing falls in older adults. To address this, researchers contacted experts from 18 countries who took part in the guidelines' development to inquire about the implementation status in their nations.

The optimal combinations of modifiable risk factors to target in dementia prevention efforts are currently unclear. Researchers analyzed data from over 30,000 adults to identify the most frequent combinations of 12 risk factors and examine their association with cognitive changes over three years.

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment have a higher risk of gait impairments and falls, but how multimodal interventions affect their mobility is unclear. This study evaluated the effects of a 20-week program combining aerobic-resistance exercise, cognitive training, and vitamin D supplementation on gait and falls in participants aged 65 to 84.