00:00Are you going to get your butt as close to the ground as possible?
00:05She's showing no signs of it now, but when Victoria Marks broke her wrist in a fall last
00:09year, even the simplest tasks became a struggle.
00:13Couldn't clean, showering, couldn't shower properly, it was just horrible.
00:19But what she didn't expect was that martial arts would be a part of her journey to recovery
00:23and prevention.
00:25It's part of a Victorian first program, in conjunction with Werribee Mercy Hospital,
00:31training seniors in judo-based techniques to improve balance and independence.
00:35We slowly build up their skill set so that once they're comfortable with falling with
00:41me hands on, then it's falling without me helping.
00:47Judo is used in this program for its focus on balance, strength and safe landing techniques,
00:53which can help older adults fall safely and reduce injury risk.
00:58Victoria's the first to admit she had her doubts about it.
01:01Because I'm not a very physical person, and I thought judo, how am I going to do judo?
01:06I thought there goes the other wrist probably.
01:10Dangerous falls continue to be the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisations among
01:15older Australians.
01:17Experts say exercises like this can help lower that risk.
01:20We average 20 to 30 clients in any one time in our caseload, for example.
01:25Some people have had some injuries where they've broken a bone or they're in hospital for quite
01:31some time.
01:32With the health improvements she's experienced, Victoria has been able to get back on her feet.
01:37For the first time a couple of weeks ago, I went for a walk in the park that I broke
01:41my wrist at.
01:43And it's actually taught me confidence.
01:47Gaining confidence one fall at a time.
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