Improving balance and mobility with a yoga program for older people

INTERVENTION: 12 weeks of twice‐weekly group‐based yoga focusing on standing postures that are likely to challenge balance such as one‐legged standing and side lunges. Each class with last for 1 hour and will be supervised by a qualified yoga instructor experienced with running classes for older people. Participants will also be instructed to complete a set of the yoga poses at home twice weekly. CONDITION: Older people at risk of falling PRIMARY OUTCOME: The standing balance component of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) with the addition of one‐legged stance time. The three standing balance positions of the SPPB include standing for 10 seconds each with feet side by side, feet in semi‐tandem and in tandem positions. The sum of time able to stand in the four positions (with addition of one‐legged stance), up to a maximum of 40 seconds is the primary outcome measure. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Falls self‐efficacy, as measured with the Short Falls Efficacy Scale‐International questionnaire. One‐legged stance with eyes closed (time able to stand up to a maximum of 10 seconds) Timed four metre walk at fast pace‐ time taken to complete the task measured in seconds Timed sit to stand test with five repetitions‐ time it takes, measured in seconds, for the participant to stand up and sit down fives times from a standard height chair with their arms folded across their chest INCLUSION CRITERIA: People are eligible for inclusion if they are community‐dwelling (not resident in a nursing home or hostel), aged 59 years or over, are cognitively intact (defined as a score of greater than or equal to 7 on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire), are not currently taking part in yoga or Tai Chi classes and are willing and able to take part in 12 weeks of group‐based yoga