The impact of the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park on physical activity, physical function and health in older people

Oral Presentation A1.3

Authors

  • Pazit Levinger National Ageing Research Institute; Victoria University; Monash University
  • Jeremy Dunn National Ageing Research Institute
  • Maya Panisset National Ageing Research Institute
  • Terry Haines Monash University
  • Briony Dow National Ageing Research Institute
  • Frances Batchelor National Ageing Research Institute
  • Stuart Biddle University of Southern Queensland
  • Gustavo Duque Melbourne University
  • Keith Hill Monash University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.378

Keywords:

Built-Environment, Older People, Physical Activity

Abstract

Background: The ENJOY project (Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY for older people) is a community research project actively promoting physical activity engagement and well-being through the delivery of an exercise program using outdoor multimodal exercise equipment (the Seniors Exercise Park https://youtu.be/PaYuCMtnlYk). Purpose: This study investigated the impact of the physical activity program, on health, physical function, and falls in older people. Method: Inactive older people (with increased falls risk) were recruited and underwent a 3-month supervised outdoors exercise program followed by 6-month maintenance phase (unstructured physical activity program). Participants’ physical activity, physical function, falls and health related quality of life were assessed at baseline, 3-months and 9-months, with an overall 12-months falls record follow up. Results: Eighty people completed the 3-month intervention, 58 completed the 9-month assessment (due to COVID-19 restrictions), with 54 available for the 12-months falls analysis. A significant improvement in physical activity, physical function (p<0.01), self-rated quality of life (p<0.05), wellbeing (p<0.01), fear of falls (p<0.01), falls risk (p<0.01), depressive symptoms (p=0.01) and loneliness (p=0.03) were reported at 3-months. The improvement in physical activity and physical function was maintained at 9 month. Number of fallers (from 51.8% to 31.4%, p=0.03) and falls incidence (from 42 to 29 falls, p<0.01) were significantly reduced at the 12-months follow up. Conclusion: The Seniors Exercise Park program offers various health and physical benefits, and can be an important public health infrastructure investment in promoting physical activity for older people. Funding: Gandel Philanthropy.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Levinger, P., Dunn, J., Panisset, M., Haines, T., Dow, B., Batchelor, F., Biddle, S., Duque, G., & Hill, K. (2021). The impact of the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park on physical activity, physical function and health in older people: Oral Presentation A1.3. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.378