Skip to main content

A novel dynamic exercise initiative for older people to improve health and well-being: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Sales, M.P.R., Polman, R. C.J., Hill, K.D., Karaharju-Huisman, T. and Levinger, P., 2015. A novel dynamic exercise initiative for older people to improve health and well-being: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatrics, 15, 68 .

Full text available as:

[img]
Preview
PDF (OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE)
Reis et al 2015 BMCgeriatrics.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

1MB

DOI: 10.1186/s12877-015-0057-5

Abstract

Background: Exercise is an important and effective approach to preventing falls in older people, but adherence to exercise participation remains a persistent problem. A unique purpose-built exercise park was designed to provide a fun but physically challenging environment to support exercise in a community setting. This project is a randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise intervention using an exercise park specifically designed for older people in reducing the risk of falls. Methods/Design: This study will be a parallel randomised control trial with pre and post intervention design. One hundred and twenty people aged between 60 and 90 years old will be recruited from Melbourne suburbs and will be randomly allocated to either an exercise park intervention group (EPIG) or a control group (CG). The CG will receive social activities and an educational booklet on falls prevention. The BOOMER balance test will be used as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures will include hand grip strength, two minute walk test, lower limb strength test, spatio-temporal walking parameters, health related quality of life, feasibility, adherence, safety, and a number of other psychosocial measures. Outcome assessment will be conducted at baseline and at 18 and 26 weeks after intervention commencement. Participants will inform their falls and physical activity history for a 12-month period via monthly calendars. Mixed linear modelling incorporating intervention and control groups at the baseline and two follow up time points (18 weeks and 26 weeks after intervention commencement) will be used to assess outcomes. Discussion: This planned trial will be the first to provide evidence if the exercise park can improve functional and physiological health, psychological and well-being. In addition, this study will provide empirical evidence for effectiveness and explore the barriers to participation and the acceptability of the senior exercise park in the Australian older community.

Item Type:Article
ISSN:1471-2318
Uncontrolled Keywords:Falls prevention, Older adults, Exercise park, Social interaction, Effectiveness
Group:Faculty of Science & Technology
ID Code:22250
Deposited By: Symplectic RT2
Deposited On:21 Jul 2015 10:05
Last Modified:14 Mar 2022 13:52

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

More statistics for this item...
Repository Staff Only -