Older adults in Ballarat can enjoy greater outdoor physical activity following the launch of regional Victoria’s first Seniors Exercise Park.
Situated at Mt Pleasant Reserve, the Exercise Park allows older adults to engage in physical programs as they also enjoy social interaction with others and is an important part of Council’s vision to become an Age Friendly community.
The City of Ballarat has partnered with the National Ageing Research Institute to install the innovative site in Ballarat.
The ENJOY MAP for HEALTH project (Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY) will evaluate the effects of sustained engagement in physical activity on mental health and physical outcomes for older people using the Seniors Exercise Park.
With only 25 percent of older Australians meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines, the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) said creating opportunities for older people to engage in outdoor physical activity required commitment from the community and local governments.
Director, Professor Briony Dow, said, “The beauty of the ENJOY MAP for HEALTH program is people will be trained to deliver the specialist exercise programs, which means the Seniors Exercise Park will have longevity in the community.”
The Seniors Exercise Park will assist older people to improve their strength, balance, joint movements, mobility and function. The Park deliberately features unstable surfaces to challenge balance and promote core strength.
Ballarat Mayor, Daniel Moloney said partners Banyule Council, NARI and the State Trustee Foundation of Australia had helped Council make the Seniors Exercise Park a reality for Ballarat.
“We greatly appreciate their contribution to a facility that I am certain will be welcomed and utilised by our older, active citizens wishing to maintain their health and physical strength and improve their quality of life.”
