A seniors exercise park program for older adults with mild balance dysfunction – a feasibility study

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of a multimodal exercise program conducted at a Seniors Exercise Park among older adults with mild balance dysfunction.

Methods

Participants (aged ≥65 years) with mild balance dysfunction underwent 18 weeks of gradual reduction of supervised training followed by six weeks of independent training at the Seniors Exercise Park. Feasibility and safety were assessed at baseline, 18 and 24 weeks.

Results

Seventy-five participants expressed interest in the program. Of the 46 participants enrolled in the study, 36 (78.3%) completed the 18 week intervention, and 32 (69.6%) were followed-up at 24 weeks. The median adherence to supervised training was 90.9%, and independent practice was 26.3% (weeks 19–24). All the supervised training sessions were completed within 18 weeks. No falls, or adverse events occurred. All physical performance (e.g., balance, lower body strength, and mobility), psychosocial health outcomes (e.g., mental wellbeing) and quality of life improved significantly at 18 and 24 weeks.

Conclusions

This initially supervised Seniors Exercise Park program which progressed to independent practice is feasible, safe, and improved health outcomes in older adults with mild balance dysfunction. Strategies are needed to improve adherence to independent practice and minimise dropouts.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Gradually reduced supervision in a Seniors Exercise Park program progressing to independent practice is feasible and safe for older adults with mild balance dysfunction.

• Seniors Exercise Parks can assist older adults with mild balance dysfunction to improve their balance, lower body strength, mobility, and psychosocial health.

• There is a need for more Seniors Exercise Parks in community parks to enable greater access to this novel exercise approach by older people, including those with mild balance dysfunction.

Keywords:

• Outdoor
• physical activity
• mobility
• balance
• falls

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all the participants involved in this study, SwanCare Retirement Village management (Mrs Natalie Hodi, Ms Ashleigh Fitzgerald, Mr Matthew Upston) and Lark Industries for their support.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Curtin University Research Support Fund. Ms Ng Yoke Leng is sponsored by the Singapore Institute of Technology for her Ph.D. studies. Dr Elissa Burton was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Grant.