Programs of resistance training bring physical, cognitive and financial benefits
Australian Ageing Agenda November – December 2016
Our experience shows that programs of resistance training bring physical, cognitive and financial benefits, writes Dr Tim Henwood.
The Federal Government’s mandating of reablement and restorative care within the delivery of aged care services is a significant part of the aged care reform agenda. When coupled with the movement to a consumer directed care model, services that bring clients health and wellbeing have become of growing importance.
For the proactive organisations, this has seen the emergence of better trained staff and a movement towards a service model that embraces appropriate exercise as a therapy.
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STUDY 1
Supported by a Department of Health grant, in partnership with Burnie Brae and Healthy Connections, The University of Queensland, Bond University, HUR Australia and St Vincent’s Health Australia, we are delivering a clinic-based progressive resistance plus balance program – the Muscling Up against Disability (MUAD) project.
Community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older who have Commonwealth Home Support Packages attend twice weekly training for 24 weeks. To date, over 240 adults have entered the study, with the last group due to enter the exercise program in August 2016. While the final data collection won’t be complete until August 2017, preliminary results show an increase of up to 360 per cent in the machine resistance and changes in isometric leg strength greater than 110 per cent.
To put this into context, these are muscle changes that directly translate to improved capacity in standing from sitting, mobilising and climbing, and all markers of independence.
In addition, participants’ testimonials tell us that people have a renewed feeling of worth, more energy, are more confident on their feet and are experiencing less pain. While the study has a way to go, there is little doubt we are changing people’s lives for the better. Importantly, this is implementation research. The program is being delivered and managed by Burnie Brae, which is Queensland’s largest community centre and whose mission is to promote client health and wellbeing.
