Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Jul 22:10:904158.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.904158. eCollection 2022.

Translating and Evaluating a Physical Activity Program for Aboriginal Elders on Noongar Boodjar (Country) - A Longitudinal Study

Margaret J R Gidgup  1 , Marion Kickett  2 , Angela Jacques  3 , Tammy Weselman  4 , Keith D Hill  5 , Julieann Coombes  6 , Rebecca Ivers  7 , Nicole Bowser  8 , Vilma Palacios  9 , Anne-Marie Hill  4
Affiliations

Translating and Evaluating a Physical Activity Program for Aboriginal Elders on Noongar Boodjar (Country) - A Longitudinal Study

Margaret J R Gidgup et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Objective: The primary aim of the study was to translate and evaluate the impact of a Physical Activity (PA) program on the physical function of older Aboriginal Elders on Noongar Boodjar (Country).

Methods: A longitudinal design framed within an Indigenous methodology. Two groups, one metropolitan and one regional, of Aboriginal Elders, aged ≥45 years, participated in the Ironbark PA program. This comprised weekly strength and balance exercises followed by yarning circles. Physical function (primary outcome) and functional ability, cardiovascular risk factors (weight, waist circumference), falls efficacy and health-related quality of life were measured at baseline 6, 12 and 24 months. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed effects modeling.

Results: Fifty-two Elders initially enrolled and of those, n = 23 (44.2%) Elders participated regularly for 24 months. There was a 6-month gap in program delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants made significant improvement in physical function at 12 months compared to baseline: [short physical performance battery (SPPB) at baseline, 8.85 points (95% CI 8.10, 9.61); 12 months 10.28 (95% CI 9.44, 11.13), p = 0.001: gait speed at baseline 0.81 ms-1 (95% CI 0.60, 0.93); 12 months 1.14 (95% CI 1.01, 1.27), p < 0.001]. Some sustained improvement compared to baseline was still evident at 24 months after the 6-month gap in attendance [SPPB 9.60 (8.59, 10.60) p = 0.14, gait speed 1.11 (0.95, 1.26) p < 0.001]. Cardiovascular risk factors showed a non-significant improvement at 12 and 24 months compared to baseline. All participants reported that they enjoyed the program, found it culturally appropriate and would recommend it to others.

Conclusion: Older Aboriginal people showed sustained improvements in physical function after engaging in a culturally appropriate PA program. Culturally appropriate PA programs provide safety, security and choice for older Aboriginal people to engage in evidence-based PA.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; Elder; First Nations; Indigenous; aged; evaluations; physical activity.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

NB was employed by South West Aboriginal Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant flow through the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Physical function outcomes over four timepoints. (A) Short physical performance battery, (B) Timed up and go test, (C) Gait speed, (D) Chair stand test.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Cardiovascular outcomes over four timepoints. (A) Waistcircumference, (B) Weight.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Quality of life outcomes over four timepoints. (A) Quality of life, (B) Falls self-efficacy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Sherwood J. Colonisation—It's bad for your health: the context of Aboriginal health. Contemp Nurse. (2013) 46:28–40. 10.5172/conu.2013.46.1.28 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Barnabe C. Towards attainment of Indigenous health through empowerment: resetting health systems, services and provider approaches. BMJ Glob Health. (2021) 6:2. 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004052 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. King M, Smith A, Gracey M. Indigenous health part 2: the underlying causes of the health gap. Lancet. (2009) 374:76–85. 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60827-8 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Smith L. Decolonizing Methodologies. Second Edition. Dunedin, FL: Otago University Press; (2012). p. 302.
    1. American American College of Sports Medicine. Chodzko-Zajko WJ, Proctor DN, Fiatarone Singh MA, Minson CT, Nigg CR, et al. American college of sports medicine position stand exercise and physical activity for older adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. (2009) 41:1510–30. 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181a0c95c - DOI - PubMed

Publication types