Editorial: Perturbation-based balance training

Perturbation-based balance training (PBT; or reactive balance training or perturbation training) is balance training that uses repeated, externally applied mechanical perturbations to trigger rapid reactions to regain postural stability in a safe and controlled environment (McCrum et al., 2022). The goal of PBT is to specifically target and improve the ability to maintain and recover balance in situations that often lead to falls. There is evidence suggesting that perturbation-based balance training can reduce falls in everyday life by up to 40-50% (Okubo et al., 2017;Mansfield et al., 2015;Devasahayam et al., 2023). This is particularly promising given the relatively short time needed to achieve these benefits, in comparison to traditional exercise programs. However, there were and are important knowledge gaps for this approach to fall prevention, especially regarding its efficacy, mechanisms, optimal dose, type and presentation of perturbation, transfer or generalisability to daily life tasks, application/feasibility in various clinical populations and retention of the PBT is a promising approach to fall prevention. With each year, more studies provide insight into both the underlying mechanisms of this training and how to better implement it in practice. However, as we noted in McCrum et al. (2022), several fundamental and applied aspects of PBT still need to be investigated and understood in order for it to be widely and successfully applied in practice.