Abstract
The National Department of Health invited comments on proposed policy guidelines on the prevention of physical inactivity in older persons at primary level. The guidelines recommended the use of exercises which are dynamic, interesting, fun, easily implemented, safe and tailored to suit the individual needs. In order to make informed comments on the policy, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the recommended exercise program among older persons in a local community over a six-week period. Promoting physical activity among the participants in the study resulted in marked improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and dominant hand grip strength. The time taken to perform some selected functional tasks also improved. The findings gave credence to the need to discourage physical inactivity among older persons, but there is need to overcome formidable methodological problems in evaluating the effects of exercise intervention among older persons in the community.
Highlights
In 1997, the N ational D epartm ent of Health in South Africa developed drafts of guidelines on three policies relating to older persons, and invited comments an d /o r input on the documents
A major objective of the policy was the establishment of a comprehensive program for the prevention of phys ical inactivity
The policy expects that the exercise program should be evaluated so that desir able physical activity habits could be reinforced by positive feedback
Summary
In 1997, the N ational D epartm ent of Health in South Africa developed drafts of guidelines on three policies relating to older persons, and invited comments an d /o r input on the documents. One of the three policies was titled "Guidelines on the prevention of physical inactivity in older persons at prim ary level" (D epartm ent of H ealth, 1997). A major objective of the policy was the establishment of a comprehensive program for the prevention of phys ical inactivity. The proposed policy identified that there are formidable m ethodological problem s to be overcom e in evaluating the effects of an exercise program , especially at prim ary level. The policy expects that the exercise program should be evaluated so that desir able physical activity habits could be reinforced by positive feedback
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