Move For Health

The Move For Health program provides GPs and practice nurses with a practical strategy to offer patients to encourage them to become more active and therefore to reduce their risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.  

'Move For Health' is a structured, supervised physical activity program for adults who are sedentary and who have one or more of the following:  Excess weight especially central obesity, elevated lipids, mild hypertension, impaired fasting glucose or IGT. Adults must be considered low to moderate risk (ACSM) .

The program is a collaborative effort between the Illawarra Division of General Practice, the University Of Wollongong and Beaton Park Leisure Centre (Wollongong Council).  It was piloted in 2006 after the success of the 12 week GPEP Diabetes physical activity program which began in 2005.  Both programs use a model of GP referral to exercise physiologists for assessment, program design and participant support.

 

OBJECTIVES

  • To increase participation in physical activity by adults at risk of diabetes and CVD.   

  • To reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, particularly: fasting blood glucose, blood pressure and body composition (ie BMI, waist circumference).

KEY FEATURES

  • The program promotes referral linkages between GPs and exercise physiologists (EPs).

  • Patients receive a customised 6 week program designed and delivered by EPs at Beaton Park Leisure Centre.  

  • An assessment is conducted by the exercise physiologist at the beginning and end of the program, to measure key indicators of fitness and to discuss health issues, any potential barriers to exercise, motivation, exercise preferences and lifestyle.  Participants are also asked to have a (free) blood test to measure fasting glucose and lipids.  

  • There are 3 individual supervised sessions over the 6 weeks.  An EP is available to help at other times.

  • Programs combine cardiorespiratory activity, resistance and flexibility training.

  • Exercise intensity will primarily be monitored using RPE

COSTS

Beaton Park fees are reduced for program participants and are approximately $7* per casual session or $80* for 15 sessions. Off peak memberships also available.  * Rates are subject to change . 

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP OFFER:  At completion of the 6 week program participants will be offered a 3 month membership at the Beaton Park at reduced rates PLUS a complimentary 4th month’s membership.

For further information

Phone Linda Blackmore, Diabetes Program Officer at IDGP, on  02 42267052.