A new study at The University of Queensland is looking at ways to help people aged 45 and over take up and stick with regular physical activity.
The ‘Get Mobile’ project, headed by Professor Neville Owen from the School of Population Health will test the effectiveness of telephone advice and counselling.
Professor Owen said the program was the first of its kind in Australia.
“It is a study which builds on what has been learned from earlier research and uses the telephone as a way of delivering a structured physical activity program,” he said.
“Physical inactivity is ranked as the second largest risk factor for disease and disability in Australia. Regular activity reduces the risk of heart disease, type two diabetes, osteoporosis, colon cancer and weight gain. It also helps to manage stress and improve mental health.
“Effective and low-cost ways of delivering advice on physical activity will be increasingly important in Australia, with an ageing population and high rates of diabetes and other health problems related to physical inactivity.”
Despite the important health benefits of physical activity being well known, nearly one-half of Australian adults do not even do the minimum recommended 30 minutes each day of moderate physical activity.
The School is asking for men and women aged 45 years and over to volunteer to take part in the ‘Get Mobile’ program. Participants will wear a pedometer (a small device which will assess their activity levels) and be surveyed regularly by our program staff about their reactions and activity levels.
If you would like to take part in the study or would like more information, please contact Liane McDermott on telephone (07) 3365 5067 between 9am and 4pm weekdays.
Media: for further information, contact Evie Leslie, (telephone 07 3365 5039), Professor Neville Owen (telephone 07 3365 5190) or Elizabeth Kerr at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 7045).
