fit fans: football health and older men

Evaluation of Extra Time | Wednesday 12 January 2011

Daniel Parnell, University of DerbyDaniel Bingham, Liverpool John Moores University; Roger Jones, Age UK & Dave Richardson, Liverpool John Moores University

Fit Fans: Understanding the Effectiveness of an Intervention to Promote Positive Behaviour Change in Older Men


• Background of Football in the Community

• Setting the Scene: The Partnership

• Overview of Methods

• The Project

• Reflections

• Ways Forward

The plan for today

Fit Fans | Friday 17th August 2012, World Congress on Active Ageing


• Football in Community programmes started in 1986 to build greater links between clubs and communities

(Brown, Crabbe and Mellor, 2006).

• Initially focused on traditional football coaching with young children

(Mellor, 2008)

• However, FitC schemes are beginning to tackle major social agendas (i.e., social inclusion, obesity, mental health)

(Watson, 2000; Parnell, 2013)

Historical Development



• Sport has often been heralded as a way to create social change.

• Sport and specifically Football, can be utilised to help reach the

most ‘at risk’ people/children through community interventions,

tackling issues including health, social inclusion, and social

regeneration. (DOH, 2004).

Why have community programmes been linked to Professional Football Clubs?



‘Football for Health’ (FIFA, 2008) stated that not only can playing football help tackle obesity, diabetes and hypertension it states:

‘And why not tap the full potential full potential of this unique tool to spread

simple but effective messages on how to protect oneself from the

most devastating infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis

and malaria? Because these 'big three' are responsible for about

three million deaths in Africa every year, the FIFA World Cup 2010

South Africa will be an invaluable opportunity to reach those most

heavily threatened by them’.

The Power of Football as a Vehicle for Social Change



The Power of Football as a Vehicle for Social Change


• 20 Premier League FitC schemes

(often independent organisations i.e., charities)

http://www.premierleague.com/page/CommunityPL

Premier League Health is a £1.63 million project funded by the New Football Pools aimed specifically at men.

•84m invested in community projects•2,431 community projects funded•316 educational projects funded

(2011)

http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/



Culture of Liverpool:

What images do you visualise when you think about the city of

Liverpool?


Evaluation of Extra Time | Wednesday 12 January 2011Fit Fans | Friday 17th August 2012, World Congress on Active Ageing


Everton F.C

Liverpool houses some of the most deprived people and areas in England

Health related issues tend to be most prevalent in areas (typically) described ‘deprived’


Everton FC & Community Engagement


Most deprived local authority in England 2004-2007 (LCC, 2007).

Vision: “To motivate, educate and inspire by harnessing the power of football and sport to change lives within our community”


Everton Active Family Centre (EAFC)

In 2008, the joint venture between Everton in the Community and Liverpool John Moores University, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, saw the development of the Everton Active Family Centre (EAFC) which is a unique fitness facility based within the grounds of Goodison Park.


The birth of Fit Fans

Fit as a Fiddle (FaaF) is part of Age UK and funded by the Big Lottery.

Their work has been presented by Roger Jones during the conference, who leads the strand for older men.

At the time we had work in place for men 18-34, but no provision for older men – we wanted to change this!

Therefore work began with FaaF, Age UK and local Age Concerns to help develop Fit Fans.



Overview of methods


• 7 men aged 45>

• 1 hr weekly sessions

• Betwen Oct 2011 – May 2012 (8 months)

• Personalised programme

• Physiological measurement’s included (BMI, RBP & AG)


EAFC Seminar:

• Engagement with all local stakeholders

• Grassroots and strategic

• Platform to disseminate, share (and

plenty of food!)

Results: how did ‘we pick the men up’?


• Referrals through NHS &

word of mouth


Unexpectedly the cohort

exhibited a range of serious

diagnosed illnesses that

challenged the

practitioner’s skill base and

experience in delivery on

the health agenda.

Results



Robert, 63•Physical Disability/chronic pain (spinal injury); Obesity; Hypertension (M); High Cholesterol (M); Osteoarthritis

Ant, 62•Obesity; Gout; Hypertension (M); High Cholesterol (M); Osteoarthritis

Nigel, 64•Diabetes Mellitus (Type II) ; Obesity; Hypertension (M); Osteoarthritis

Mick, 56•Depression (M); Anxiety (M); Obesity

Results: health demographics


Mick, 56•Depression (M); Anxiety (M); Obesity

Lee, 47•Depression (M); Anxiety (M); Addiction (Alcohol and Substance)

Ryan, 62•Bowl Cancer (within 12 month remission)

Ben, 59•Post-polio syndrome (M)


• The results show no significant changes within the physiological

measures; however results evidence positive BMI changes in 3 men and

weight management across the cohort.

Results: physiological measures



• The men did make a range of

more subtle bespoke goals that

impacted their day-to-day

existence significantly

For example:

- ability to walk short distances,

- reduction in alcohol intake

...which made them ‘feel better’.

Results: goal setting



• Men stated that the practitioners played a critical role n their continued participation in the programme

“You always hear that runners get a high or something, but I just always felt knackered lad. You know what I mean? But what I will say is, having a bit of banter with Dan, and having him keep banging on about getting out there and doing a little bit extra...well really he is right. I look back and I felt knackered walking around, but now no problem, easy!” (Nigel)

“Coming here once a week and me starting to go the gym in my own time, has really improved my confidence, I was putting weight on, but advice given has really made me believe I can get rid of this weight and get back into work.” (Mick)

Results: the role of the practitioner



I haven’t lost weight Dan (practitioner) but I tell you what I feel on top of the world! After sweating it out on that treadmill. I mean...I get down (emotionally) a fair bit especially living by myself, not working (i.e., not in employment) no more and our kid (brother) being ill and living in that care home. And just coming here talking to you about all this health and fitness stuff - you just feel fitter and better just talking about it (Nigel)




“As a health and exercise practitioner (with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science) I was aiming to get these fellas, off the couch and out there. Walking more, going to the gym, cycling, swimming all those types of activities. I believed that age was only a number and when you are retired and have plenty of time to keep healthy and active. There is no reason why you can’t reach 30 minutes of moderate exercise, or even an hour !?

Results: the practitioners reflections


“The men looked at me in shock when I suggested that they jogged on the treadmill, or even asking them to aim for the goal of walking 30 minutes every day “...what walk 30 minutes it ain’t happening lad - simple”.

I asked Robert if could try and do an extra two reps on the chest press (he had only done 4). He replied clearly without the slightest hesitation “I will do what I can do lad, have you forgot I am not 21 like yourself”. I replied “well how about aiming higher it’s my job to try and increase intensity in order to achieve your health goals, and its only two reps.”

Robert replied “Well two reps f*#king hurt lad.”




A caring, informed, multi-skilled practitioner (i.e., data collection, health, exercise, psychology, counselling skill & knowledge of special populations and behaviour change) was essential in:

•Maintaining engagement

•Providing a service in the heart of an area of multiple deprivation

•Deploying evidence based practice

•Collating evidence of impact


Results: the football clubs role


“You give me a choice of going to some boring shitty community health club with people hogging the equipment, or coming here having a gym at Goodinson Park to myself, with free health support aint real, me mates laugh at me when I tell them”. (Nigel).

“Its local, its round the corner, and its Everton, it’s a top club so to have stuff like this is surprising.” (Ryan).

“I still get excited coming here every week, coming to Everton to get fit is as near to a kids dream of coming to Goodison to play football. It’s just the best” (Mick).


All participants reported the FC playing a role in making the prospect of

engaging in behaviour change and exercise ‘more appealing’ than

mainstream National Health

Service support.

In essence coming to the football

club to train had a greater

‘pull’ than anything else available.

Results: the football clubs role



• Practitioners have to be accustomed of subjective subtle goal

setting that is appropriate to each individual and their daily life;

and not engaging in the typical nature of just following national

guidance.

• Whilst also be able to effectively deal with the complex needs of

older men (i.e., a range of serious illness's).

• The involvement of the FC appeared to contribute favourably to

maintenance in the intervention.

Discussion points



The notion of a caring practitioner is noted by Hillsdon (1998)… the knowledge base of the practitioners was central in gaining trust and co-operation. Furthermore, Bogdan-Lovis et al. (2006), noted that co-operation and trust enhanced adherence and sustained life changes.

The empathic nature of the practitioners and their ability to take on the client’s personal challenges be they physical, emotional or social in a fun, enjoyable, non-threatening and safe environment is an essential component of their success…

(placement student’s consultancy report conclusion)

Thoughts moving forward



Engagement is more productive than preaching…



Extended thank to all of the “Gents” that took part in the program and also to all of the volunteers during the intervention for their input, dedication and passion.

The authors would also like to acknowledge and

dedicate this work to Ray (“Ryan”) who sadly passed away in the spring of 2012 to a reoccurrence of Cancer. Such a brilliant and wonderful person and a joy to work

with and get to know.


30.

Title of PPT show | Monday, April 10, 2023

Thank you for listening.

Dan Parnell School of Science University of Derby t: 07538500348e: [email protected]: www.derby.ac.uk

twitter: @parnell_daniel blog: TheCommunityFootballBlog

Fit Fans | Friday 17th August 2012, World Congress on Active Ageing Football Clubs as a Vehicle for Promoting Health in Older People | Friday 17th August 2012, WCAA

fit fans: football health and older men

Education