Australian seniors would markedly step up their exercise levels if they could access affordable community-based fitness classes tailored to specific health concerns, new research has found.
Results of the nation’s largest study into older Australians and exercise show subsidised classes run by accredited exercise professionals – trained in the treatment of chronic disease – can assist seniors in becoming more physically active.
Almost 7000 Australians aged 65+ living in the community performed low-to-moderate intensity exercises in a range of 12-week exercise classes from aqua aerobics and gym to Pilates and yoga as part of the Exercise Right for Active Ageing program run by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).
Monash University studied the factors associated with participation in the community-based exercise classes, which were run all over the country and cost an average $8 per class.
ESSA President Dr Brendan Joss said the study showed the affordable, disease-inclusive exercise classes greatly improved participants’ quality of life.
“The program boosted overall physical activity levels and participants engaged in additional physical activity beyond the time spent in classes,” he said.
“Participants became more physically active by one extra day per week and reduced sitting time by 30 minutes per day.”
Classes in the Exercise Right for Ageing program were delivered by Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs), university-trained allied health professionals who prescribe physical activity to prevent, treat and manage chronic conditions, both physical and mental.
Monash University’s assessment of the Exercise Right for Active Ageing program, run while COVID-19 lockdowns were occurring, found exercise tailored to specific health concerns had the highest rates of attendance.
Many participants had high levels of comorbidity (multiple health conditions) and reported that disease-specific classes taught them how to self-manage their health where possible.
“Many participants joined the program because it was led by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist – this assured them that the class would be safe and beneficial to them, as many had multiple health conditions to consider,” Dr Joss said.
“Supervision by an AEP gave participants the confidence to move safely and effectively.”
Condition-specific classes also improved social connectedness among the cohort.
“Many participants reported feelings of loneliness due to their health conditions impacting their ability to move and socialise, but the classes gave them a support network of people experiencing the same thing,” Dr Joss said.
“The high attendance rates of the program suggest affordable, condition-specific physical activity is valued by older adults.”
Lead researcher Dr Christina Ekegrean said the project was important for understanding the effectiveness of subsidised classes for older adults and the types of exercise those aged over 65 are most likely to enjoy.
“Despite some of the barriers that older adults face in engaging with exercise programs, there is still significant potential for improvements in strength, mobility and physical activity participation,” Dr Ekegren said.
“The classes ESSA provided were popular and valued and had a real impact on quality of life, especially in rural and regional areas.
“So far, few studies of this scale have been completed in Australia, so this research is leading what we know about the effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, of exercise for older adults.
“The sheer numbers of older people who signed up for this program show the need for subsidised classes.”
Dr Joss said funding subsidies for exercise classes tailored to older Australians was an effective low-cost strategy for improving their health outcomes and quality of life.
In 2022, chronic conditions were recorded as an underlying or associated cause of death for 90% of all deaths in Australia, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Chronic conditions are also associated with substantial health system spending, with AIHW data showing $43.76 billion was spent on the top three most costly condition groups which were all chronic (musculoskeletal conditions, cancer and other neoplasms, and cardiovascular diseases).