Does four weeks of motor imagery training improve physical and perceived ability in older adults?

INTERVENTION: Participants in the intervention group will undertake 15 minutes of guided motor imagery training five times per week for four weeks. The guided motor imagery will be provided in the form of narrated audio files and are accompanied by video clips of each task. The audio and video files will be uploaded onto a portable music player/tablet or the mobile phone of each participant and are set out as a schedule. A total of three or four tracks will be scheduled for each session to ensure each session is limited to 15 minutes. All imaging tasks and instructions are designed to get participants to imagine the movements from a first‐person perspective and progress in difficulty during the program. The audio tracks will encourage participants to imagine themselves completing balance and mobility related tasks such as reaching and walking up stairs. Participants will be provided with an instruction booklet with a schedule of files to listen to on certain days and a checklist to monitor their progress during the program. The motor imagery intervention was specifically designed for this study and target movements to improve balance and mobility tasks. Adherence will be monitored in two ways: 1) by participants completing a training diary, 2) monitoring track/video views on the electronic device using device analytics. CONDITION: Falls;Impaired balance; ; Falls ; Impaired balance Musculoskeletal ‐ Other muscular and skeletal disorders Physical Medicine / Rehabilitation ‐ Other physical medicine / rehabilitation Physical Medicine / Rehabilitation ‐ Physiotherapy PRIMARY OUTCOME: Imagined Timed Up and Go (iTUG) to assess perception of mobility[Baseline and 4 weeks] Timed Up and Go (TUG) to assess mobility[Baseline and 4 weeks] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Actual reaching distance ‐ this will be determined physically by a modified forward reach test where they reach forward to grasp a hanging broomstick. the broomstick is then moved further way until it is at a final distance that the participant can effectively reach/grasp the broomstick. [Baseline and 4 weeks] Gait speed assessed over 6 metres (at 3 differing widths ‐ 15cm, 25cm and 50cm). The gait speed at differing widths are assessed as a composite measure. Measured with a stopwatch ‐ time commences on the command 'go' and finishes when the participant reaches the end of the path. [Baseline and 4 weeks] Imagined gait speed over 6m (at differing widths ‐ 15cm, 25cm and 50cm). The imagined gait speed at differing widths are assessed as a composite measure. Measured with a stopwatch ‐ time commences on the command 'go' and finishes when the participant imagines them‐self reaching the end of the path. [Baseline and 4 weeks] Perceived reaching distance ‐ a modified forward reach test where the participant will estimate the furthest distance away that they can reach forward to grasp a hanging broomstick. [Baseline and 4 weeks] Perceived step‐over test. ; The perceived step‐over height will be determined by the participant stating at what height they believe they could safely step over a bar. [Baseline and four weeks] Secondary outcomes ; Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery questionnaire (KVIQ): The 10 item KVIQ will be used to assess the imagery ability of participants at baseline and post‐intervention. Participants are required to perform a series of movements, then imagine performing that movement and then rate the clarity or intensity of their imagined movements. Score of 10‐50 possible. ; [Baseline and 4 weeks] Step‐over test . INCLUSION CRITERIA: aged 65‐90 years, independent community dwelling and willing to be randomised and commit to the study requirements. ; Step over test height will be recorded in cm, the perceived step‐over height will be determined by the participant by stating at what height they believe they could safely step over a bar. [Baseline and 4 weeks] The Short Activities‐specific Balance Confidence (ABC‐6) Scale: The ABC‐6 will be used to assess balance confidence in participants at baseline and post‐intervention. Participants are required to rate how confident they are that they would not lose balance when performing six tasks [Baseline and 4 weeks]