AN exercise program developed by Western Health helps slow the onset of osteoporosis, a disease that affects one in two Australian women and one in three men.
Western Health researchers ran a world-first study into an exercise regime aimed at preventing osteoporosis and identified a program that improves bone density and muscle function in middle-aged and elderly men at risk of fracture.
These findings lead to the development of the Osteo-cise - Strong Bones for Life - program, which is being launched at leisure centres around the western suburbs.
The 12-month, community-based exercise, education and lifestyle program for older men and women at risk of osteoporosis is implemented by trained staff and focuses on a combination of resistance and balance training, as well as weight-bearing activities, to optimise bone density and muscle function and help prevent falls and fractures.
About 90 participants have begun the program, but organisers are keen to recruit a further 90 for the second phase.
Western Health's Associate Professor Robin Daly hopes to make the program accessible to all people at risk.
"The challenge was to translate the findings from this evidence-based research into a real-life, community-based program that uses local community resources and is widely accessible for both older men and women," she said.
"The long-term goal is that, after we have implemented this program, facilities will continue to run and offer the program to members of the broader community. We have developed an Osteo-cise trainers' and exercise manual to assist facilities in running the program."
The program is open to western suburbs residents willing to attend the Western Hospital, Footscray, and undergo tests related to bone-muscle health.
Details: Jenny Gianoudis or Dr Christine Bailey on 83457164.
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