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Dr. Brent Pritt, PT, CSCS

@science_of_falling

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⚠️ New Content ONLY on SoF Website ⬇️
🗣 Working to change the way healthcare deals with falls and balance rehab

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Science of Falling Labs are LIVE.

For Fall Prevention Awareness Week, I wanted to create something a little different.

Not another handout, simple balance exercises, or a list of to-dos. Those have all been done a million times over.

I wanted to make something you can actually try and facilitates real learning. In that spirit I made Science of Falling Labs.

Three free interactive Labs are now available:

Lab 01 - Fall Reaction Lab
What would you do if a fall happened fast?

Lab 02 - Balance Assessment Lab
Explore how vision, surface conditions, and sensory information affect your balance.

Lab 03 - Fall Detective
Investigate the clues and figure out what most likely caused a fall.

My goal is to make Science of Falling a place where you can read, watch, listen, test, explore, and learn by doing.

Try all three this week:

scienceoffalling.com/labs

And if you use one, let me know what you think. These Labs will continue to evolve and are just another modality for learning in the Science of Falling ecosystem!

#FallPreventionAwarenessWeek #FallPrevention #Balance #PhysicalTherapy #HealthyAging #FallPreparedness #ScienceOfFalling by @science_of_falling

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24 days ago

I’ve been cooking up something new. 🧪

One thing I hear a lot when talking about falls and balance is:

“How am I supposed to explore this stuff on my own?”

Or:

“Falls happen so fast. I wouldn’t have time to think about any of this.”

And those are fair points.

Reading an article or watching a video can teach you a lot, but sometimes the best way to understand something is to actually interact with it.

So, I created Science of Falling Labs.

These are interactive experiences where you’ll be able to learn, explore, experiment, make decisions, and play with concepts related to balance, falls, movement, and fall preparedness. And the best part...you can do it from the safety of your home with no risk of injury!

I currently have 3 different Lab experiences planned, and they’re all pretty different from one another.

The first Labs are coming at the start of Falls Prevention Awareness Week, September 21–25.

🔬 Explore. Experiment. Move Smarter. Fall Stronger.

scienceoffalling.com/labs

#ScienceOfFalling #FallPrevention #FallPreparedness #Balance #HealthyAging PhysicalTherapy See less by @science_of_falling

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a month ago

“I don’t need any help — my balance is great.”

I hear some version of this almost every day at work.

The interesting part? Many people do feel steady...even while their balance systems have quietly changed over time.

Balance doesn’t usually disappear suddenly. It changes slowly, and the brain becomes incredibly good at hiding those changes through compensation. That’s why falls often feel like they come “out of nowhere.”

I just published a new article breaking down the psychology behind confidence vs. actual balance ability, and why feeling stable isn’t always the same as being stable.

If you’re curious about how balance really works (or want to stay steady as you age), you can read it here:
https://scienceoffalling.com/articles/why-feeling-steady-doesnt-mean-you-have-good-balance

Or follow the link in bio

Also, a small personal milestone — the full Science of Falling "Master Yourself System" is finally live after a long development process (6 years 😅). Now that it’s finished, I’m getting back to regularly sharing articles, fall breakdown videos, and new content again.

More to come soon! by @science_of_falling

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7 months ago

Falls happen.
Injury doesn’t have to.

Master Your Fall teaches the skills that matter when balance fails: how to fall safer, protect your body, and get back up with confidence.

🚨 Last day to save 15%
⏰ Sale ends tonight at 11:59pm EST

👉 Use code FALL15
👉 Link in bio or go to scienceoffalling.com

Learn how to fall, so a slip doesn’t change your future. by @science_of_falling

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8 months ago

Strength to Get You Off the Floor 💪

Working in an assisted living facility, I see one thing over and over with my patients—severe lower body weakness. 👎 It's more common than you think, especially for those over 50.

Most adults in the US spend little to no time on the ground, and our knees barely bend past 90 degrees (like sitting in a chair). By the time we hit our 60s, we've often lost the strength to go lower, making it tough to stand from a chair—let alone the floor. 😮‍💨

If you fall at that age, you’ll be hoping there’s a chair nearby to help you climb back up! Sadly, I’ve even seen people in their 30s and 40s struggling with this too. 🤦‍♀️

But here’s the good news: this is 100% preventable! Just a few minutes a week of simple exercises can save you from this. Most functional issues later in life come from years of ignoring small, preventable habits. 🙅‍♂️

✴️ Here are 3 essential moves to help you stay strong, mobile, and ready for anything:

🔸️ Deep Squat Variations (focus on full depth)
🔸️ Unweighted Turkish Getup (add weight for a challenge)
🔸️ Pushup -> Half Kneel -> Stand

These moves will not only build strength but show you where your weaknesses are. 💪 The key? Start now, before it becomes difficult. Perform a few reps 3-4 times a week in your 50s and beyond to keep that functional strength sharp.

Trust me, if you do these regularly, you'll avoid ever needing to explain to someone like me why you can’t get off the toilet! 😳

#StrongForLife #HealthyAging #GetUpAndGo #PreventFalls #FunctionalStrength #ScienceOfFalling #fitover50 #fitover60 by @science_of_falling

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2 years ago

Did you know we lose 3-5% of our muscle mass per decade after age 30? 🧓🏽 This process, known as sarcopenia, can leave us feeling weaker and less mobile as we age. But there’s a way to fight back, progressive overload! 💥

By gradually increasing the weight, reps, or intensity in your workouts, you can build strength and preserve muscle, keeping you strong, independent, and energized well into your later years. And it’s not just for lifting weights! Progressive overload applies to *all* areas of fitness – from improving balance 🧍‍♀️, mobility 🧘🏾‍♂️, endurance 🏃🏽‍♀️, and even your mental sharpness 🧠.

Small, consistent improvements lead to big changes over time. Want to age well and stay active for years to come? Incorporate progressive overload into your routine today, and your future self will thank you! 🙌🏼

📲 DM "Age Well" to chat about my wellness coaching program, and let's get you living your best and healthiest life in your later years!
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#AgeStrong #SarcopeniaPrevention #StrongerEveryDay #ProgressiveOverload #LongevityFitness #ScienceOfFalling by @science_of_falling

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2 years ago

Closing out Fall Prevention Awareness Week with a hard-hitting truth and a life-saving tip! 💥

Fact: You WILL fall. I don't know when, I don't know where, but it’s coming. 😬

Tip: Strengthen your neck! 💪 A strong neck can help prevent your head from turning into a bowling ball when gravity strikes. 🎳

How? Try isometric holds (fancy term for holding your head up) while lying down. Do it on your back, sides, or stomach to hit all the angles! Just tuck that chin and protect your noggin! 🧠 Your brain will thank you later. 👏

Want more tips to stay strong and avoid falls? Drop a question below, and I'll get you on the right track. 👌 by @science_of_falling

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2 years ago

Rebelling against boring balance sessions? Yeah, it's kind of what I do. Especially when it comes to helping my patients crush their goals.

You can have the *perfect* program, but if it doesn’t grab your attention, guess what? It SUCKS. Why? Because if it’s boring, people won't stick with it long-term—and then, bye-bye progress 👋.

Enter my patient, “Bob” 🎾. Bob’s got knee arthritis, a history of falling, hip pain, and lost some of his speed and power. But Bob’s also super competitive, and he’ll push himself to win—even when it’s not in his best interest (which, I’ll admit, keeps me on my toes 😅).

We’ve been working on balance and safe dynamic movement for a while now, but one day, we decided to mix it up. We were both over the same old exercises, so we threw in something fresh.

Balance training is all about finding what makes YOU unstable. For Bob, that’s anything involving turning, cutting, or stepping out—his feet tend to get a little tangled. And once he’s tired, I’ve got my eye on him like a hawk 👀.

So, moral of the story: be like Bob. Bob trains balance. Bob doesn't do boring. And Bob is getting better—he’ll be back on the courts soon enough, having some fun along the way 🏆!

Happy fall prevention awareness week, my friends! 📲 DM "Age Well" if the trials of aging are starting to wear on you and you want to correct the course. Let's have a chat! by @science_of_falling

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2 years ago

The more you play, the more you do, the better you get! 🎯

If you're not at serious risk of falling, why not make your balance work fun? 🤹‍♂️ You don’t need to stick to boring exercises all the time.

I’ve got patients who can barely walk, and yet we play modified pool as part of their balance training! 🎱 And guess what? They tell me it’s the most fun they’ve had because it doesn’t even feel like work! 😄

The best exercise is the kind you don’t even realize is exercise. So find a challenging (but safe) balance position and just play around however you want!

🏐 Throw a ball.
😂 Make funny faces.
🙌 See how many times you can reach and touch something.
⚽ Kick or toss objects into a goal.
🎨 Be your own Picasso.

Get balancing, get playing, and get better! 🙌

📲 DM me “Age Well” and lets chat about how I can help you live your best balanced life! 💪 by @science_of_falling

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2 years ago

Here's a quick trick for those who have severe balance deficits but want to work on balance alone at home. Which I encourage IF done safely. 🤸‍♂️

Simply wedge yourself in a corner of your house and put a chair in front of you. There you have it! Safety on all sides. 🫡

Using this trick allows you to lose your balance in all directions and still catch yourself. Just allow enough room for a little wobble on all sides.

Make sure the walls are smooth, and do not have shelves sticking out. Additionally, although you can do this while alone, it's always safer to have someone around.

📲 DM "Age Strong" and let's chat how we can get you on the road to complete wellness in your future!

Use code "FALLPROOF" for 75% off of my "Beginner to Intermediate Balance Program on scienceoffalling.com, LIMITED TIME ONLY (9/23-9/29) for Fall Prevention Awareness Week by @science_of_falling

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2 years ago

My favorite week of the year! Fall Prevention Awareness Week 🙌 Sept 23-27

It only takes 10 minutes a day of balance practice, at your own level, to make massive gains! 🤸‍♂️

Stay tuned for some great falling and balance info this week on Instagram and a couple of new articles on scienceoffalling.com.

🔴 PLUS....In honor of trying to reduce fall risks around the world, my "Beginner to Intermediate Balance Program" is on sale THIS WEEK ONLY at 75% off with the code "FALLPROOF" on scienceoffalling.com.
-> Link in stories

Stay safe, and as I use to say, HAPPY FALLING!!!! 😆 by @science_of_falling

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2 years ago

Back pain and imaging don’t always tell the whole story. 🤔

Did you know that many people with ‘bad’ MRI or X-ray results—like disc bulges, herniations, or degeneration—often don’t feel any pain at all? 😱

Meanwhile, others with ‘perfect’ scans suffer from chronic back pain. This disconnect can be confusing, but it’s backed by research: Imaging results and back pain don’t always line up!

📊 Here’s the truth: Pain is complex. It’s not just about what shows up on a scan, but also how your brain and body respond to different factors.

Muscle imbalances, movement patterns, stress levels, sleep, and even your diet can all play a role in how pain is experienced.

A bulging disc might look scary on an MRI, but if you haven’t tried addressing the root causes—things like strength, mobility, stress management, and recovery—you might be jumping the gun on invasive options like surgery.

🛑 Before you rush to the operating table:

- Try progressive strength training 🏋️‍♂️ (AKA progressive loading). Strengthening your back and core can do wonders for pain relief.

- Prioritize sleep 😴. Your body heals best when you're well-rested.

- Improve your diet 🥦. What you eat affects inflammation and recovery.

- Manage your stress levels 🧘‍♀️. Stress can amplify pain signals and make everything feel worse.

🔪Surgery might seem like a quick fix, but it’s often not the best first step. With the right approach, your body can heal, and your pain can reduce—sometimes without ever needing to go under the knife.

💡 If you haven’t explored these options, give them a try first! You might be surprised at the results.

📲 DM "Age Well" if you are ready to improve your pain and revamp your lifestyle in order to be your best healthy self. Let's chat!
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#BackPainRelief #WellnessJourney #MoveBetterFeelBetter #StrengthTraining #HealthyAging #PainFreeLiving #HealthyLifestyle #InjuryPrevention #scienceoffalling by @science_of_falling

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2 years ago