Falls Prevention: Reintroducing myself after a 9 year absence

[MARK A HIRSCH <mhirsch@xxxxxxxx>]

Dear Members,

I recently discovered a folder filled with emails from my time on the list back 
in 94, 95 and 96 and decided it was time to return.  I had originally 
subscribed to the list on December 21 1994 - while still in graduate school in 
Tallahassee Florida...At that time, I was working on my PhD dissertation 
entitled "effect of high intensity resistance training and balance training on 
falls in Parkinson's disease".  In a nutshell, what my dissertation revealed 
was that no person (or brain) is too old or "chronically" ill to benefit from 
self-produced activity.  Postural control can be improved with a combination of 
strength and balance training.  Balance training used alone is also effective 
at improving postural control.  However, if the training is discontinued for 4 
weeks, postural control deteriorates to pre-training levels in persons who only 
receive balance training.  A combination of resistance training and balance 
training was more effective at maintaining improvement of po
stural control. For those of you who might be interested in reading the 
research articles, I've included citations below.  The articles in PALAESTRA 
are very "user friendly" and provide a detailed description of the therapy.  
These can be ordered through:

PALAESTRA: Forum of Sport, Physical Education
& Recreation For Those With Disabilities
Challenge Publications, Ltd.
PO Box 508
Macomb, IL 61455
1-309/833-1902 (Phone/FAX)
challpub@xxxxxxxxxx

Reading the (100+) emails in my folder from '94 and '95 I, once again, realized 
how important it might be to serve the members of this list.
Good to be back!!!

Mark


Hirsch MA, Toole T, Maitland CG, Rider R.  (2003). The Effects of Balance 
Training and High-Intensity Resistance Training on Persons with Idiopathic 
Parkinson's Disease.  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 
84(8),1109-1117.

Toole T, Hirsch MA, Forkink A, Lehman D & Maitland CG.  (2000).  The effect of 
a balance and strength training program on equilibrium in Parkinsonism: A 
preliminary study. Journal of NeuroRehabilitation, 14, 165-174.

Hirsch MA & Hirsch HVB.  (1998).  Novel activities enhance performance of the 
aging brain.  Journal of Physical Education Recreation & Dance, 69,(8), 15-19.

Hirsch MA, Rider RA, Toole T, & Hirsch HVB.  (1998).  Falls prevention in 
individuals with Parkinson's disease: Part I: The importance of balance and 
resistance training. Palaestra, 14(3), 15-20.

Hirsch MA, Rider RA, Toole T, & Hirsch HVB.  (1998).  Falls prevention in 
individuals with Parkinson's disease: Part II: Developing a balance and 
resistance training program. Palaestra, 14(4), 21-26.

Hirsch MA, Ratliffe T & Vincent J.  (1997).  Instructional strategies to help 
exercisers with Parkinson's disease. Palaestra, 13(3), 29-31, 46-49.

Toole T, Park SB, Hirsch MA, Lehman D, & Maitland CG. (1996).  The 
multicomponent nature of equilibrium in persons with Parkinson's disease: A 
regression approach.  Journal of Neural Transmission, 103, 561-580.

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