Physiotherapists responsible for delivery of the intervention
received an in depth two day training programme.
This involved teaching on the processes and rationale of
the trial as well as instruction on how to deliver exercise
groups. Each physiotherapist was assigned to certain
homes and liaised with the home manager/senior carer to
arrange suitable times for running the exercise groups.
Individual exercise intensity for each participant was
determined based on their initial assessment, beginning
at a specific level; but which could be progressed:
Level 1: Chair based lower level intensity aerobic
and strength exercises.
Level 2: Moderate intensity exercises performed in
sitting and/or supported standing.
Level 3: Moderate to high intensity exercises
performed more dynamically in sitting and standing
and incorporating walking and dancing activities.
Delivered by the physiotherapist, group exercise sessions
ran twice weekly for 12 months. Set to appropriate music,
groups consisted of a 5–10 minute warm up, a progressive
resistance exercise section lasting approximately 15 minutes,