training aqua leaders in western & far west nsw
Post on 08-Jan-2016
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Training Aqua Leaders in Western & Far West
NSWClinton Gibbs
Health Promotion OfficerWestern NSW LHD
What is Aqua Fitness?
• Popular way to keep fit• Improves strength & flexibility• Increases energy levels• Beneficial to people with arthritis, back
pain, balance and joint problems• Don’t need to be able to swim• Easy to learn and fun
Why Aqua for Western & Far West Communities ?
• Aqua groups requested by a group of Aboriginal Ladies
• Poor exercise opportunities in many communities
• Most have a pool• Suitable for all fitness levels• Affordable• Can be done with no equipment
Broken Hill
Wentworth
Lightning Ridge
Coonabarabran
Dubbo
Cowra
Non-Aboriginal population: 264,490
Aboriginal population: 27,829
Source: ABS population estimates (SAPHaRI). Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health.
Source: ABS population estimates (SAPHaRI). Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health.
How it Has Happened
• Training manual was developed • Aqua instructor contracted to train leaders
in 2009 • Manual further developed• 62 people attended• 37 came to a 1 day refresher training in
2010• 34 Aqua groups in Summer 2009/2010
The Training
• HP advertise 2 day training courses• Participants must be a LHD volunteer or Staff• Broken down into practical & theory sessions• Practical assessment & written quiz to be
completed• Participants are required to lead a free class
within the next 12 months• CPD and CEC points can be claimed• Session on Western NSW PA guidelines
included
What Participants Learn
• Principles and Foundations of Aqua fitness• Properties of water• Aqua fitness program design and workout
structure• Teaching and cueing techniques• Safety considerations• Leaders roles and responsibilities• Class formation and selection of specific
exercises• Program modifications for special conditions• Equipment and music
What Happens After the Training?
• Leaders become part of the Western NSW LHD Physical Activity network
• PA network meetings held regularly• Equipment supplied• Follow ups and group visits• Grant information• Linked with Local Health District sites• Other training & program information is
shared• Participants are invited to attend a
refresher 12 months later
Recording Group Statistics
• The size & type of groups vary in many ways
• Health service staff enter stats in local systems
• Volunteers send stats to us and/or keep them for their records
• We are looking at ways we can access stats from systems used
• Sites do their own evaluation of their groups
Example of an Aqua Group
• Taken from a 2011 group with 4 leaders• Participants also reported an increase in
muscle tone, weight loss, improved mental health & an increase in social interaction
Reported Improvements
02468
101214161820
Flexibilit
y
Balanc
e
Fitnes
s/Stre
ngth
Gener
al Healt
h
State
of m
ind
# o
f p
arti
cip
ants
Yes
No
Did not state
So What?
• 19 courses & 14 refresher days have been held• 165 people trained & 96 people attended
refreshers• 90% of refresher attendees had led a group• Free groups offered to 23 communities• Additional resources & information added to
package• Increased awareness of other health programs• Increase in PA opportunities in many
communities including Aboriginal ones
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