Every year more than two million Americans fall and sustain
serious injury, costing in excess of $3 billion dollars. Hidden
costs include pain, disability, lawsuits, deterioration in
general well-being, and the impact on other family members.
Falls and the resulting injuries have become one of the
elderly's most serious health issues. As our senior population
continues to grow, falls and their consequences will increase in
the future. The accumulation of injuries throughout life change
or damage the central nervous system (CNS) and the body as a
whole, and our bodies deteriorate through inactivity. Vision
diminishes with advancing age, and this directly effects the
sensory systems involved with movement. The sensory cells in the
ears' balance system change, gradually decrease and cannot be
replaced. The nerves which carry sensory information to the
brain from the muscles, joints and skin can also deteriorate
with age. The ability of nerve endings to generate the chemicals
responsible for the transmission of i