Education: The Midland Health Board's Health Promotion Service and Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) recently launched a general practice (GP) exercise referral scheme within the AIT campus to help keep students and staff physically fit and healthy.
This is the first time a GP exercise referral scheme has been based in an educational setting. The scheme will involve both students and staff being referred by the on-site GP to the college exercise referral co-ordinator.
Participants will receive a lifestyle assessment and an individually tailored exercise programme. They will also receive personal assistance in setting and achieving their goals, sustaining their motivation levels and regular assessments.
Barry Lambe, regional exercise referral co-ordinator with the Midland Health Board (MHB), said the scheme had several key benefits. "Scientific research has shown that young people who participate in physical activity are more likely to have higher self-esteem, better social skills and are better able to cope with stress."
He added: "They are also less likely to suffer from depression or participate in health-risk behaviours such as smoking, drinking, drug use and unsafe sexual activity. So really we have to start looking at physical activity as a valuable tool for holistic health promotion."
Patricia McTiernan, student services manager at AIT, underlined the benefits from their perspective. "Encouraging physical activity and exercise is a great way of dealing with a wide range of health issues because the social interaction combined with the physiological benefits of exercise put students in a stronger position when it comes to dealing with the challenges of college life."
According to Mr Lambe, initiatives that promote increased physical activity are essential as Ireland boasts the highest death rates from coronary heart disease in Europe, the incidence of overweight and obese people is on the rise and physical activity levels are declining.
For further information on this project, contact the Health Promotion Service at 0506-57800 or email: physical.activity@mhb.ie