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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Sustainable participation in regular exercise amongst older people
— developing an action research approach | | Author(s) | Jeanne Davies, Carolyn Lester, Martin O'Neill |
| Journal title | Health Education Journal, vol 67, no 1, March 2008 |
| Pages | pp 45-55 |
| Source | http://www.sagepublications.com |
| Keywords | Exercise ; Participation ; Projects ; Evaluation ; Powys. |
| Annotation | This article describes the Triangle Project's work with a post industrial community (Ystradgynlais, a small former coalmining community at the western end of the South Wales valleys), where healthy living activities were developed in response to community members' expressed needs. An action research partnership approach was taken to reduce health inequalities, with local people developing their own activities to address health and well being issues. At the instigation of older women attending a community consultation, a low intensity exercise class was started. Baseline details including weight, self-assessed fitness and mobility problems were recorded. The class branched out into social activities including healthy eating, walks and outings. Members controlled the pace and content of both class and spin-off activities via continuous feedback and discussion with the Triangle researcher. Two evaluation events were held using a focus group format. Findings revealed that barriers to regular participation are discussed, together with the achievement of a sustainable fitness group with evidence of health improvement in an initially 'unfit' group. Social aspects were highly valued by participants and contributed to sustainability of the class, which is now run by members without external input. (KJ/RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-080402201 A |
| Classmark | CEA: TMB: 3E: 4C: 99 |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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