Keeping your balance with Nymbl

Falls are the most common cause of injury in Aotearoa, making up 39 per cent of all claims.

Last year, around 172,000 people aged 65 and over had a fall-related ACC claim – that’s 22 per cent of that age group.

It’s a big problem, so we’re doing something about it.

We’ve launched Nymbl – a free, fun and easy-to-use app that is fully funded by ACC.

Nymbl is designed to help people 50 and older stay on their feet, combining simple body movements with brain games to challenge both the brain and body.

The app is part of our older people’s programme, Live Stronger for Longer, which is focused on preventing falls and fractures.

How to Live Stronger for Longer

Research shows impact of Nymbl

ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker says Nymbl can play a key role in improving the balance of older New Zealanders.

“By investing 10 minutes a day, a few times a week, in the comfort of your own home, you can improve your balance and maintain your independence and confidence,” he says.  

Research shows falls often happen when a person is distracted. It also shows using Nymbl can improve a person’s balance by up to 30 per cent.

We ran a pilot for Nymbl from August 2020 to September 2021. More than 15,000 people aged 55 years and over registered with the trial.

Those initial Nymbl users completed around 300,000 training sessions and over 100,000 education sessions. Nearly 90 per cent of users said they were likely to recommend the Nymbl balance training programme to a friend.

Further research shows 71 per cent of Nymbl users who used the app for 21 days have improved their 30-second sit-to-stand balance test. 

Dispelling notions about aging

Fall-related injuries most commonly occur in the home and women are slightly more likely to be injured by falling than men.

Every year, one in three people over 65 injure themselves in a fall, rising to one in two once they reach 80.

“Falls have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, especially if it results in a fracture, so we want to do what we can to prevent them from happening in the first place,” James says.

“Most falls are preventable, and we want to dispel the idea that falling over is just part of the aging process,” he adds.

“We want to help New Zealanders stay on their feet, enjoying their independence and leading the life they want to live.”

You can download Nymbl at the Google play or Apple app store.

More information is available on the Nymbl website.

Live with better balance and be falls free

Falls by the numbers

• Falls are the most common cause of injury in New Zealand, accounting for 39 per cent of all ACC claims.
• Fall-related injuries most commonly occur in the home and women are slightly more likely to be injured by falling than men.
• Every year, one in three people over 65 injure themselves in a fall, rising to one in two once they reach 80.
• Research shows using Nymbl can improve a person’s balance by up to 30 per cent.