Presentation of the "stand-up" programme

Aims. - Description of the procedure of implementation by French federation EPMM Sports for All (FFEPMM), as of the autumn 2006, of the very new prevention programme of the falls in the elderly, university program of kinesiology, provincial network of Kino-Quebec. This program has been validated by researchers and experts of the University of Montreal. Current knowledge. - In that context, the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec has allowed the French Federation of Sports for All (FFEPMM) to put in place this new programme of prevention of falls for the elderly in the heart of their sports clubs and affiliated institutions. That's why our Federation has turned out 50 trainers specialized on the elderly for the Stand UP Programme. Afterwards, these, persons have provided a training course to 540 trainers in sports clubs and in establishments for the elderly. Since then, these trainers of FFEPMM provide weekly courses to more than 70000 members of more than 50 years old. It should be observed that these persons represent close to 40% of all the federal subscribers of FFEPMM. That is the reason why FFEPMM is very concerned by the research and innovation in the area of disease prevention by the sports. Stand Up Programme comprises group exercises, home based exercises and information sessions. The group exercises comprise muscular reinforcements, balance exercises and exercises inspired from Tai-Chi. The home based exercises comprise simple exercises based on the group exercises (this similitude is to avoid wrong movements at home). The information sessions comprise daily living and home organisation, care of the feet, how to eat well, etc.). The north american studies have shown that a physical activity programme has to fulfill three criteria to be efficient: duration, intensity and frequency. Conclusion. - Stand Up programme has been able to show a significant reduction in the frequency of falls in a 12 week exercise programme at a frequency of three times a week of which one is at home. This programme has been carried out in France in its original version and also with some adaptations which are in evaluation and will also be evaluated by an independent scientific committee in the near future in partnership with the Health Ministry. The adaptations comprise less than 12 weeks exercises, only one session a week, smaller exercise rooms or limited budget. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS.