Participation and maintenance of regular physical activity is one of the most important
ways of preventing or reducing many chronic diseases (U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, 1996). These positive effects are not limited to those who improve their
physical activity in youth or middle age, or indeed whilst still in good health. Young
(2001) saw improved mobility, balance and co-ordination in older people who complied
with an exercise prescription. Merz & Forrester (1997) found that even amongst people
with established heart disease, regular moderate physical activity reduced the risk of
cardiac death by 20 to 25 percent. Mazzeo & Tanaka (2001) suggest that exercise
programs, even for those who have not been active for much of their lives, help older
people to accumulate less fat and improve their blood-sugar regulation and blood
pressure. Yet the prevalence of inactivity is highest amongst those aged 65 and older
(US Department of Health and Human Services 1996).
It is widely accepted that play is a vital part of the development of children, supporting
their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development (Frost 1997). Playgrounds
encourage the development of a range of motor behaviours (Beckwith 1985), and
provide opportunities for physical activities such as climbing, sliding, balancing and
swinging, which contribute to strength, flexibility and co-ordination (Frost 2006).
Pahtaja et al. (2006) investigated how the balance and coordination skills of older people
were altered by taking part in a structured exercise program over a period of six months.
Forty 65–81-year-olds took part in the research which included use of a specially
constructed adventure playground circuit (“The Motor Track”). The participants
undertook a 90 minutes guided exercise programme once a week that included use of
the playground environment and were also encouraged to carry out a series of exercises
at home. Although no significant changes in the weight or body composition of the
participants were recorded, there were significant improvements in balance and
coordination. Improved confidence relating to mobility was also recorded resulting in
significant improvements in performance speed measured as the time taken to complete
a playground circuit. Psychological as well as physiological improvements were also recorded. Most of the participants said that they felt better mentally because of the
exercise and empowered when they managed to overcome a problem piece of
equipment (Sillito, 2006). The post study interviews also showed that the participants
had found it fun and motivating to take on the playground based challenges with other
people.
The participants in the Finnish study were self selected in response to a newspaper
advert and perhaps therefore already motivated to become more active. Playground use
was also part of a wider exercise program that also included ball games, musical chairs,
leading each other blindfolded, and balance exercises utilising equipment such as
walking blocks and trampolines. However, anecdotal evidence from the study provided
by Lappsett and BBC News (Sillito, 2006) highlights the very positive response to the
experience of playground use reported by the study participants. This result is more
surprising than the increases in physical well being resulting from regular structured
exercise which are well supported by other research. If the Finnish study has uncovered
a latent desire for equipment based play amongst older adults then playgrounds could in
the future be used to promote an active lifestyle amongst this age group.
Participation and maintenance of regular physical activity is one of the most important
ways of preventing or reducing many chronic diseases (U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, 1996). These positive effects are not limited to those who improve their
physical activity in youth or middle age, or indeed whilst still in good health. Young
(2001) saw improved mobility, balance and co-ordination in older people who complied
with an exercise prescription. Merz & Forrester (1997) found that even amongst people
with established heart disease, regular moderate physical activity reduced the risk of
cardiac death by 20 to 25 percent. Mazzeo & Tanaka (2001) suggest that exercise
programs, even for those who have not been active for much of their lives, help older
people to accumulate less fat and improve their blood-sugar regulation and blood
pressure. Yet the prevalence of inactivity is highest amongst those aged 65 and older
(US Department of Health and Human Services 1996).
It is widely accepted that play is a vital part of the development of children, supporting
their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development (Frost 1997). Playgrounds
encourage the development of a range of motor behaviours (Beckwith 1985), and
provide opportunities for physical activities such as climbing, sliding, balancing and
swinging, which contribute to strength, flexibility and co-ordination (Frost 2006).
Pahtaja et al. (2006) investigated how the balance and coordination skills of older people
were altered by taking part in a structured exercise program over a period of six months.
Forty 65–81-year-olds took part in the research which included use of a specially
constructed adventure playground circuit (“The Motor Track”). The participants
undertook a 90 minutes guided exercise programme once a week that included use of
the playground environment and were also encouraged to carry out a series of exercises
at home. Although no significant changes in the weight or body composition of the
participants were recorded, there were significant improvements in balance and
coordination. Improved confidence relating to mobility was also recorded resulting in
significant improvements in performance speed measured as the time taken to complete
a playground circuit. Psychological as well as physiological improvements were also recorded. Most of the participants said that they felt better mentally because of the
exercise and empowered when they managed to overcome a problem piece of
equipment (Sillito, 2006). The post study interviews also showed that the participants
had found it fun and motivating to take on the playground based challenges with other
people.
The participants in the Finnish study were self selected in response to a newspaper
advert and perhaps therefore already motivated to become more active. Playground use
was also part of a wider exercise program that also included ball games, musical chairs,
leading each other blindfolded, and balance exercises utilising equipment such as
walking blocks and trampolines. However, anecdotal evidence from the study provided
by Lappsett and BBC News (Sillito, 2006) highlights the very positive response to the
experience of playground use reported by the study participants. This result is more
surprising than the increases in physical well being resulting from regular structured
exercise which are well supported by other research. If the Finnish study has uncovered
a latent desire for equipment based play amongst older adults then playgrounds could in
the future be used to promote an active lifestyle amongst this age group.
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