Step-Over Skills to Avoid Tripping

This video includes Dr. Kathy Doubleday’s advice to improve balance when stepping over objects, which was suggested to a patient experiencing difficulty in stepping over things at home. The lesson involves two components: getting the leg up high enough to go over the object without hitting or tripping on it and weight shifting from one leg to the other to move the second leg. Two exercises are suggested – the first one is marching while holding on to a countertop, and the second one is weight-shifting by standing on one leg, then shifting weight to the other leg. Both exercises improve strength, balance, and confidence in stepping over objects. These exercises can be easily incorporated into one’s daily routine.