Abstract Age-related declines in neuromuscular and sensory systems substantially increase fall risk and impair independence in older adults. Exercise interventions improve balance and gait; however, the maintenance of these training-induced gains over time remains uncertain, as most benefits may diminish within months after training ceases. This study determined whether an 8-week Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) programme produces post-intervention and short-term follow-up improvements in balance, gait speed, fear of falling, and health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. In this assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial, 44 older adults aged 60–75 years were randomly allocated to either supervised DNS (totaling 24 sessions: three sessions per week for 8 weeks, 40–50 min per session) or a usual-activity control group. Outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 2-month follow-up using validated clinical instruments. Thirty-nine participants completed the trial (DNS group, n = 19; control group, n = 20). Mixed-design ANOVA showed significant group × time interactions for all outcomes (all P 0.05). The control group exhibited no meaningful changes. An 8-week DNS intervention yields robust, clinically meaningful, and sustained short-term improvements across multiple domains related to fall risk in older adults. These short-term retained adaptations position DNS as an effective neurophysiologically based approach for fall prevention within the observed follow-up period. Trial registration: RTC, prospectively registered in the Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000055127) on 29/12/2024.
Babagoltabar-Samakoush et al. (Wed,) studied this question.