ENJOY MAP for HEALTH: outdoor exercise for older people

The project involves the installation of specialised outdoor equipment (the Seniors Exercise Park) supported by promotion and community capacity building activities in 6 municipalities in Victoria. The ENJOY MAP for HEALTH incorporates 4 stages at each participating site with several strategies embedded to ‘activate a site’ to enable positive effects on physical activity behavior and sustainability including: promotion and marketing, capacity building, and development of resources. EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION - Seniors Exercise Park The exercise park equipment is outdoor playground equipment specifically designed for older people to improve strength, balance, joint movements and mobility and function. It comprises multiple equipment stations that target specific function or movement (upper and lower limb) such as shoulder range of movement, static and dynamic balance, functional movement of walking up/down stairs, sit to stand. The equipment will be installed in pre-determined suitable locations (e.g., part of the councils park/site upgrade (refurbishment) plan). There will be variation between sites around the overall site size, surrounding areas and amenities, and the additional play equipment. SITE ACTIVATION -promotion and marketing, capacity building, and development of resources 1) Marketing and promotion All project's stages will be enhanced by ongoing communication and branding strategies and activities which will maximise visibility and promotion of the Seniors exercise Park. The branding strategy will include the design of promotional material to be distributed in online and off line channels such as digital (Facebook, Instagram, website) and physical promotion (banner, posters, flyers) platforms. In addition an online app (ENJOY-ME-APP) will also be designed that include videos resources and information on how to use the equipment. 2) Capacity building - upskilling and training– knowledge transfer Community capacity building activities will include: (a) training modules, and (b) Community health care engagement. 2a) Training modules will include training for Allied Health Professionals (Training workshops) and Senior Champions (Train the Trainer). Allied Health Professional training will include a half day workshop incorporating theoretical component about risk management and exercise prescription and a practical session using the outdoor exercise equipment. Train the trainer module will include twice weekly training sessions for 5 weeks as follows: 9 practical training sessions using the seniors exercise park (1.5 hours duration incorporating interactive teaching with hands-on demonstrations) and final theoretical session for 3 hours incorporating risk managements, physical activity and healthy lifestyle tips. Adherence will be monitored using participation log. 2b) Community health care engagement will include the development of relationship with local health care/leisure providers via the involvement of various project stages such as in training, project’s meetings, and community events.