Training Aqua Leaders in Western & Far West

NSWClinton Gibbs

Health Promotion OfficerWestern NSW LHD

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

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

Broken Hill

Wentworth

Lightning Ridge

Coonabarabran

Dubbo

Cowra

Non-Aboriginal population: 264,490

Aboriginal population: 27,829

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reported Improvements

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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