Exercise Program Inclusion Criteria
The Inclusion Criteria have been updated to include a focus on a broader range of physical activity programs for people aged 50 years and older. As a general rule, physical activity program registrations for participation-based physical activity program registrations received at Active and Healthy will be accepted if they match the inclusion criteria below. Programs can achieve additional classification as fall prevention programs if they meet the additional fall classification criteria. All inclusion decisions will be at the discretion of NSW Ministry of Health. Please note that NSW Ministry of Health reserves the right to amend these inclusion criteria at any time without notice.
Inclusion criteria for community based physical activity program registrations
- The program provides physical activity opportunities within NSW.
- The program provides non-contact physical activity opportunities. Sports that involve limited body contact physical activity opportunities that have been specially adapted/modified for older adults will also be considered.
- The program caters for people aged 50 years and older. Providers will be asked to describe how they achieve this in the program registration process.
- Provider background.
Provider background should match one or more of the following descriptions:
- Tai Chi Leader
- Nurse
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Sports Teacher
- Exercise Physiologist
- Registered Local Health District Physical Activity Volunteer
- Fitness Leader – Cert III
- Fitness Leader – Cert IV
- Fitness Leader – Registered
- Fitness Leader – Accredited
- Registered Yoga Instructor
- Dance Instructor
- Coach (providers may be asked to provide further information on relevant training or experience)
- Volunteer leader/trainer (providers may be asked to provide further information on relevant training or experience)
Additional classification criteria for fall prevention program registration
As a general rule, the additional fall prevention program classification will be awarded if programs received at Active and Healthy match the criteria in ALL THREE areas listed below, however each registration will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All decisions will be at the discretion of the NSW Ministry of Health. Please note that the NSW Ministry of Health reserves the right to amend these criteria at any time without notice.
Area 1: Specific Strength and Balance Exercises
The most beneficial exercises include those where participants aim to:
- Stand with their feet close together or on one leg (movement from one leg to the other);
- Undertake exercises while standing with minimum use of hands to assist;
- Undertake exercises with controlled movement of the whole body while standing (eg reaching while standing, tai chi, etc).
One or more of the exercises listed below should be included in the registration form:
- Heel to toe standing
- Knee raises
- Heel to toe walking
- Side leg raises
- Sideways walking
- Heel raises
- Stepping up a step
- Sit to stand exercises
Tai Chi registrations are automatically accepted.
AREA 2: Class Time
At least 40% of class time should be spent undertaking one or all of the specific strength and balance exercises listed above.
AREA 3: Provider Background
Provider background should match one or more of the following descriptions:
- Tai Chi Leader
- Nurse
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Sports Teacher
- Exercise Physiologist
- Registered Local Health District Physical Activity Volunteer
- Fitness Leader – Cert III
- Fitness Leader – Cert IV
- Fitness Leader – Registered
- Fitness Leader – Accredited
- Registered Yoga Instructor
- Dance Instructor
This Inclusion Criteria for balance mobility and falls prevention was established in consultation with key NSW Falls Prevention experts.
References:
Sherrington C, Michaleff ZA, Fairhall N, Paul SS, Tiedemann A, Whitney J, Cumming RG Herbert RD, Close JC, Lord SR. Exercise to prevent falls in older adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Sports Med bjsports-2016-096547. Published Online First: 4 October 2016
Sherrington C, Whitney JC, Lord SR, Herbert RD, Cumming RG, Close JC. Effective exercise for the prevention of falls: a systematic review and meta-analysis), Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2008 Dec; 56(12):2234-43.
