16 May 2006 48/06

 

A healthy way to say ‘thank you’

 

Southampton Solent University is hosting a special Afternoon Tea on Thursday, 18 May to thank volunteers from the local community who took part in an innovative programme to promote the health benefits of physical activity.

 

Adults with a range of chronic conditions and their student fitness instructors from Southampton Solent University, will join University staff and officers of Southampton City Council in celebrating the success of the programme. The City Council is keen to link up with the University and run similar programmes.

 

Students from level two, BA (Hons) Health and Fitness Management and level three, BA (Hons) Sports Studies with Business, designed 12-week exercise programmes to meet the needs of their individual clients. Clients attended once a week on Thursday afternoons at the University’s teaching gym laboratory.

 

The classes formed part of a unit called ‘Exercise Management for Special Populations’. Students worked with an individual client and following a screening and pre-assessment, a safe and effective exercise programme was developed. Continual assessment and monitoring of the programme ensured that the individual needs of each client were met.

Glynis Young, Unit Leader and Senior Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Health and Fitness Management course, commented:

 

"We believe it was of great benefit to both the students and the participants and it was greatly enjoyed by both. Students gain a great deal of knowledge, confidence and practical experience from working with clients rather than from case studies and simulated situations. In turn, clients have a personalised programme devised through which they are coached and have their progress monitored. It has been great to see the enthusiasm and professional approach of the students and the wonderful rapport that developed between the students and their clients. It has also inspired many participants to carry on with exercise through the Active Options programme or through their favourite sports and hobbies such as golf, cycling and gardening.

"It’s a perfect example of how the University likes to work with the community through its academic curriculum."

MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO PRESS OFFICER, 023 8031 9040

 

More Southampton Solent University news can be found at: www.solent.ac.uk/news/|

 

Notes to editors:

 

Journalists and photographers are welcome to attend a photocall at 4pm on Thursday, 18 May at Southampton Solent University to celebrate the conclusion of this innovative programme. Volunteers from the local community and the student volunteers will be able to talk about the programme and the benefits they derived from it.

 

Photos:

A range of images from the ‘Exercise Management for Special Populations’ unit of students working with their individual clients are available from the Press Office.