Taking part in regular exercise has reduced falls among elderly people by as much as 17 per cent, according to the latest findings from the Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust.

The Trust unveiled its latest findings last week, which have been the result of a year-long research study undertaken with Liverpool John Moores University, on the Trust’s award-winning Liveability service, which works to promote the independence and health of old people through exercise.

If current trends continue, by 2024 half of Liverpool’s population will be aged 50 or over, which shows the importance of finding an effective way of helping older people improve their health, fitness, quality of life and reduce the risk of falls.

The study measured the impact of participation in two hours per week of instructor-led gym-type activities on the physical fitness, strength, flexibility, balance and aerobic endurance of participants over a 12 week period.

Each participant was monitored at the start and end of the programme and at six and 12 months to assess longer term impact.

Results showed a 59 per cent improvement in the group's fitness levels immediately after the programme and 80 per cent improvement after six months.

There was a 17 per cent reduction in the risk of falls immediately after the programme and 11 per cent in the six months afterwards.

Bernie Cuthel, chief executive of Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust, said: "Encouraging people to be more active is something we are very committed to at LCH. As these latest research findings highlight, even just a small increase in activity levels can make a dramatic difference to someone's overall health and wellbeing, especially in older age."