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Students' 'buddies' get active
A GROUP of elderly residents at the Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes in Seaside have been keeping themselves fit and active thanks to some specially tailored coaching from physiotherapy students at the University of Brighton.
The students linked up with the Homes to provide weekly sessions over a two month period as part of the University's 'Activity Buddies: Fitness and Mobility for Health' programme.
Physiotherapy students Jessica Bell, Daniel Cunningham, Carol Egan and Martha Darlington, and sports and exercise science student Tess Davison interviewed the 18 participating residents to assess their level of fitness.
One of those taking part was in his 80s, and others included people with arthritis and stroke victims.
The effects of aging on the body, and how exercise and activity can benefit was explained to the class members.
The level of exercise was modelled to the ability of each of the participants, with the Homes' Wii Fit games software proving a popular aid.
Dr Raija Kuisma, principal lecturer in physiotherapy and the project leader, said a close rapport developed between the class members and students.
Definite benefits were noted in those taking part, and the programme has formed the basis of a research project.
Two of the students, Jessica and Carol, have drawn on the experience for their degree dissertations.
It is hoped that further sessions can take place involving other students, and Dr Kuisma is also looking at introducing a practical course on fitness for the elderly for care home staff.
The project, which won the university's innovation award, was recorded by photography students as part of their course work, and their efforts are to be exhibited.
One of the residents who took part in the exercise sessions said, "The students encouraged us to exercise within our own limits and we realised that what we thought might be hard work really was fun.
"It soon became apparent how quite simple movements exercised different parts of our bodies.
"The students were fun and put us at our ease. They took into consideration not only our ages but our individual abilities and disabilities.
"All of us who took part would be delighted to have more sessions."
Homes manager Lin Wilkinson said, "The first week of the course saw only a handful of residents come along to 'Activity Buddies', but in the couple of hours the young students were here they built up such a rapport, word soon got around and the following week many more residents joined in.
"It was a pleasure to watch everyone really enjoying the different weekly exercises creating much hilarity as well as a sense of achievement.
"Great credit to course leader Raija, the students and her team."
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Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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