Posted on: 14 November 2024
The Ealing Paediatric Physiotherapy service created a physiotherapist-led gym group, a four-week rehabilitation program for young people to build strength, improve cardiovascular health and develop lifelong habits for physical activity.
What is the Paediatric Gym Group?
The program offers patients four consecutive weekly sessions at a local gym, along with a one-month free gym membership to encourage self-directed exercise beyond the group setting. The program has three primary goals:
- Enhance physical activity: By providing a safe space to increase strength and endurance beyond typical clinic settings.
- Promote self-management: Cultivating an interest in regular physical activity and long-term gym use.
- Build community: Fostering social connections and the enjoyment of exercising in a supportive group setting.
At the beginning of the program each young person created three goals. The progress was tracked as achieved, partially achieved, or not achieved.
Evaluation in 2023 showed participants achieved an average of 2.3 out of 3 goals, with consistent improvements.
Both young participants and their parents shared positive feedback, highlighting improved symptoms, enhanced fitness, enjoyment of the group, and boosted confidence in future gym attendance.
The program tackled common barriers to young people’s physical activity, such as confidence, social support, and motivation. Physical activity during adolescence is vital for bone health, cardiovascular fitness, strength, and mental well-being. However, studies show that 81% of school-aged adolescents are not sufficiently active, with activity levels often decreasing in these years. By addressing these challenges, the gym group not only supports individual rehabilitation but serves as a public health initiative to break cycles of inactivity, chronic pain, and obesity - contributing to improved quality of life.
Thank you to our dedicated physiotherapists and partners for making this group possible. Let’s continue to inspire Ealing’s young residents to build fitness and wellness habits that last a lifetime!