Dr Ruth McCullagh, PI for the FaME Ireland research project, was invited to take part in the panel discussion at a recent Institute of Public Health webinar on 'Exercise and Healthy Aging'.  The event took place online on 24th October 2024, and focused on the role of physical activity in preventing, delaying or reversing frailty.  More information about the event, and a link to the video, can be found on the Institute of Public Health's website

As part of the FaME Ireland project, we have recently launched an online survey which we are disseminating by email to all Later Life Trained Postural Stability Instructors across Ireland.  Our aim is to compile information on the successes and challenges facing practitioners across Ireland in setting up and delivering programmes, and to build up a detailed picture of what is happening across the country.  We are hoping to reach up to 120 practitioners.  We would love to hear from any PSIs to find out from them whether, following their training, they have been supported to set up any FaME or other falls prevention classes and programmes.  We are equally keen to hear from those who have not yet been able to set up programmes, or have done so in the past, but are no longer providing these classes.  

Dr Ruth McCullagh, PI for the FaME Ireland research project, along with international collaborators Profs Skelton, Orton and Horgan, hosted a symposium titled 'Including older adults in health enhancing physical activity: learning lessons from implementing an evidence-based falls prevention intervention in different healthcare contexts and countries' at the recent HEPA Europe Conference in Dublin.

Dr Ruth McCullagh, Principle Investigator for the FaME Ireland study, will be co-presenting with Professor Dawn Skelton from Glasgow and Professor Elizabeth Orton from Nottingham at the upcoming Health Enhancing Physical Activities (HEPA) Europe Conference in Dublin later in August.

Dr Ruth McCullagh (right), Lecturer in the Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Clinical Therapies, has received €240,000 in research funding to roll out FaME (Falls Management Exercise), an evidence-based falls prevention programme for older people, in Ireland. Over a third of those aged 65 and older fall each year, and research has proven that exercise, including strength and balance training, is key to reducing falls.