I'm in my early 50s but I struggled to recover from a recent fall

Our ability to balance diminishes from midlife, increasing the risk of falling. So, instead of exercising in the usual way, we need to introduce multidirectional and unpredictable movement

Fiona Dooley, who tripped on a kerb and suffered serious soft-tissue damage, says she had a slower recovery than would have been the case when she was in her 40s. Picture: Moya Nolan

During the recent cold snap, videos emerged on social media showing us how to stay safe and keep upright when treading on icy ground — by walking like a penguin.

Alas, nasty falls can and do happen and, further still, they are not just the plight of those in advanced years. In 2018, researchers at Trinity College Dublin identified an increase in the number of women over 40 who experienced falls.