Staying Fit for the Future Better Balance Programme

Description

In 2023, Mayo Sports Partnership (MSP) appointed a Physical Activity for Health Officer (PAfHO) to improve pathways for older adults and people with chronic health conditions to engage in community-based physical activity. Initial stakeholder engagement identified a shared priority: the implementation of a pilot population-based early intervention exercise programme designed to enhance balance, mobility, and overall health. Staying Fit for the Future: Better Balance (SFFFBB), an established evidence-based 10-week exercise intervention in a well older population, the Cork model, was selected.

In March 2024, the PAfHO coordinated a training session where MSP exercise instructors, together with Mayo community physiotherapists, learned the essence of SFFFBB. Twelve 10-week programmes were delivered, with physiotherapy partners signposting participants into the programmes, the majority of whom were first time participants in a MSP activity. Classes were held in three community centres across Mayo—close to home, familiar, and less intimidating than a gym setting. Over 100 people participated in three locations: Ballina, Belmullet and Swinford, between April-June and September-December 2024.

The unique bridge created between MSP and the local health services promotes not only physical activity for health offerings but also mainstream MSP classes and initiatives (e.g. activator walking with poles, pickleball). A further positive outcome is the relationship between our exercise instructors and the community physios and participants. This collaboration has brought considerable health benefits and improved quality of life, evidenced by the results of the pre and post course functional fitness assessments carried out on 96 participants (88 female, 8 male), aged 41–85 years. Quantitative results showed clinically meaningful improvements.

Single Leg Standing, eyes open: Improved: 22.02 seconds to 36.53 seconds (+66%), indicating enhanced balance.
Timed Up and Go: Walking speed improved: 7.73 seconds to 6.99 seconds (-9.6%), indicating enhanced mobility.
30-Second Sit-to-Stand: Increased: 12.65 to 13.95 repetitions (+10.3%), reflecting gains in lower limb strength.

Over 85% of participants self-reported consistently adhering to their home exercise programmes and intended to seek out further MSP or community based exercise classes.

The Better Balance Programmes fostered meaningful social connections. Many participants appreciated the camaraderie of exercising with peers, the sessions being not only beneficial for their health but also a highlight of their week. Comments like: “I loved meeting new people and being part of a group with similar challenges,” underscored the programme’s role in reducing social isolation.

Cost: €18,500: Sponsor HSE Health and Wellbeing
Training Exercise Instructors in ‘SFFFBB’ €2,800;
Exercise Instructors’ class fees €7,800;
Exercise Equipment €1,620;
Venue Hire €3,600;
Evaluation €1,000;
Sub-total: €16,820;
Promotional video €1,680

Future plans include upskilling our exercise instructors and maintaining links with the HSE, bringing additional Better Balance programmes to new locations around Mayo. The pilot PAfHO role in MSP hosted by Mayo County Council can drive meaningful outcomes and respond to the needs of the community through partnership and collaboration. The PAfH Better Balance programme complements Government health services by shifting the focus from treatment to prevention, expanding reach into communities, and delivering measurable, scalable health improvements aligned with public health goals.

Aim of Initiative

Empowering Communities to Stay Active and Healthy. Staying Fit for the Future; Better Balance is a strength and balance programme of pre-set exercises with progression guidance. The programme is delivered over 10 weeks and will involve a once weekly group exercise class. Each class will provide motivational strategies to re-enforce targeted strength and balance exercises at home, which will be completed independently by the client.

Who is it aimed at

Who is this Better Balance programme for? Older adults over 55 years of age, who are independently mobile and have no history of falls.

If you are wondering if this is the programme is for you, check if you can do the following simple test of balance and strength:

Cross your arms across your chest then stand on 1 leg and close your eyes. Now stand tall and steady for 10 seconds…

If you find yourself a bit more wobbly than you expected, and your balance isn’t “as good as it used to be”, this Better Balance class is the class for you.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Application to Sport Ireland to be involved in the Physical Activity for Health Pilot Programme involving 6 local authority areas, successful in application and appointment of Physical Activity for Health Officer in June 2023
2. Research of adaptable programmes targeting people with chronic illness. Agreement from Cork Sports Partnership & Cork Physiotherapy Department to adapt the Better Balance Programme to Mayo.
3. Development of a Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies involved in implementing the Better Balance Better Bones Pilot Project in Community Healthcare West (CHW). The involved agencies are:
   • HSE Health and Wellbeing Department (Dept.), CHW
   • HSE Physiotherapy Dept., Mayo Primary Care, CHW
   • Mayo Sports Partnership

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Sourcing and upskilling exercise instructors especially in rural areas, bringing Better Balance Programmes to new locations in Mayo.
2. Sourcing funding / resources to extend the reach of the programme and continuing the Memorandum of Understanding between all the partners.
3. Continuing the contract of the Physical Activity for Health Officer post the 3 year pilot period which expires in June 2026.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Over 100 participants, most new to Mayo Sports Partnership, saw significant improvements in balance, mobility, and strength, with 85% continuing exercise independently. The initiative fostered social connections, reduced isolation, and strengthened ties between Mayo Sports Partnership and health services, while demonstrating measurable health benefits and supporting a shift from treatment to prevention.
2. The unique bridge created between Mayo Sports Partnership and the local health services promotes not only physical activity for health offerings but also mainstream Mayo Sports Partnership classes and initiatives (e.g. activator walking with poles, pickleball).
3. A further positive outcome is the relationship between our exercise instructors and the community physios and participants. This collaboration has brought considerable health benefits and improved quality of life, evidenced by the results of the pre and post course functional fitness assessments.