Training Aqua Leaders in Western & Far West NSW

1. Training Aqua Leaders in Western & Far West NSW Clinton Gibbs Health Promotion Officer Western NSW LHD

2. What is Aqua Fitness? • Popular way to keep fit • Improves strength & flexibility • Increases energy levels • Beneficial to people with arthritis, back pain, balance and joint problems • Don’t need to be able to swim • Easy to learn and fun

4. Why Aqua for Western & Far West Communities ? • Aqua groups requested by a group of Aboriginal Ladies • Poor exercise opportunities in many communities • Most have a pool • Suitable for all fitness levels • Affordable • Can be done with no equipment

5. Lightning Ridge Coonabarabran Dubbo Broken Hill Cowra Wentworth

6. Non-Aboriginal population: 264,490 Aboriginal population: 27,829 Source: ABS population estimates (SAPHaRI). Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health.

7. Source: ABS population estimates (SAPHaRI). Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health.

8. How it Has Happened • Training manual was developed • Aqua instructor contracted to train leaders in 2009 • Manual further developed • 62 people attended • 37 came to a 1 day refresher training in 2010 • 34 Aqua groups in Summer 2009/2010

10. The Training • HP advertise 2 day training courses • Participants must be a LHD volunteer or Staff • Broken down into practical & theory sessions • Practical assessment & written quiz to be completed • Participants are required to lead a free class within the next 12 months • CPD and CEC points can be claimed • Session on Western NSW PA guidelines included

11. What Participants Learn • Principles and Foundations of Aqua fitness • Properties of water • Aqua fitness program design and workout structure • Teaching and cueing techniques • Safety considerations • Leaders roles and responsibilities • Class formation and selection of specific exercises • Program modifications for special conditions • Equipment and music

13. What Happens After the Training? • Leaders become part of the Western NSW LHD Physical Activity network • PA network meetings held regularly • Equipment supplied • Follow ups and group visits • Grant information • Linked with Local Health District sites • Other training & program information is shared • Participants are invited to attend a refresher 12 months later

16. Recording Group Statistics • The size & type of groups vary in many ways • Health service staff enter stats in local systems • Volunteers send stats to us and/or keep them for their records • We are looking at ways we can access stats from systems used • Sites do their own evaluation of their groups

17. Example of an Aqua Group • Taken from a 2011 group with 4 leaders • Participants also reported an increase in muscle tone, weight loss, improved mental health & an increase in social interaction

19. So What? • 19 courses & 14 refresher days have been held • 165 people trained & 96 people attended refreshers • 90% of refresher attendees had led a group • Free groups offered to 23 communities • Additional resources & information added to package • Increased awareness of other health programs • Increase in PA opportunities in many communities including Aboriginal ones