Study finds community-based physical activities for older adults are suitable following joint replacement

A study commissioned by the Active Older People Health Integration Team (APPHLE HIT) has found that community-based physical activities for older people are suitable for those who’ve had a joint replacement.

The study was led by Rosie Sadler, APPHLE’s Research Assistant. Rosie interviewed 11 instructors or leaders from a range of different community-based activities for older adults in Bristol. This included health walks, group cycle rides, Tai Chi, gentle exercise classes, Zumba gold, walking sports and falls prevention classes.

The research aimed to find out if and how instructors and leaders of existing community-based activities for older adults cater for the needs of older adults who have had a hip or knee replaced. It also explored the experiences of instructors and leaders of these activities in engaging with older adults with a joint replacement, and to understand whether there are any barriers to encouraging initial uptake and long-term adherence to group-based activities.

Six major themes emerged from the interviews:

• Awareness
  of people with a joint replacement in their activity
• How
  activities cater for the needs of older adults with a joint replacement
• Perceived confidence
• Barriers and facilitators to uptake
• Solutions to initial engagement
• Long term adherence

Download Rosie’s full report on the research (PDF).