By YASEMIN TALAT
A NEW and innovative seniors-only exercise park has opened in Sunshine North as part of a research project by Victoria University.
Researchers at Victoria University will study the social benefits of exercise and the improvements of strength and balance by individuals using the specially designed seniors exercise park.
Victoria University PhD researcher Myrla Sales said the park’s platforms, steps, bridges and bars were specifically designed to give seniors a fun workout in an extra safe environment which also featured soft, non-slip rubber surfaces and rounded edges.
“This is designed to help keep you in shape for all the skills in daily life like climbing stairs, lifting shopping bags, doing the gardening or keeping up with your pet or grandchild at the park,” Mrs Sales said.
“This is something different that has not been done before and what’s great is that it allows people to be outside in the fresh air, with their friends or making new ones and keeping up their skills to stay active.”
Researchers are inviting people aged over 60 to give the new facility a trial while being assessed for the project.
Participants will be split into two groups; one group will be actively engaged in exercise sessions twice a week with guidance from an exercise physiologist and the other group will enjoy organised social activities including cards, checkers, chess and other board games.
All participants will also have three visits to Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus where researchers will measure muscle strength, balance skills and general health.
To learn more about this research project contact Ms Myrla Sales at Victoria University on 0447 017 820 or myrla.reissales@live.vu.edu.au
