The impact of the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park on physical activity, physical function and health in older people
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
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.
Authors: Levinger, Pazit, Dunn, Jeremy, Panisset, Maya, Haines, Terry, Dow, Briony, Batchelor, Frances, Biddle, Stuart, Duque, Gustavo, Hill, Keith
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W6923882251