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ABSTRACT
Falls are a major concern in the older adult population of New Zealand. While several land-based falls prevention programmes exist, these may be inappropriate for individuals with lower extremity osteoarthritis. This paper presents participants' perceptions of a mixed methods study that investigated the effects of a twelve week aqua-aerobics programme on falls risk and physical function in older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis. Seventeen participants (four males and thirteen females) with an average age of 78 years (range 68-89 years) attended focus group interviews. Perceived benefits included an improvement in mobility, breathing, pain levels, balance and a reduction in falls. Key to sustaining participation adherence was a motivating instructor, commitment to a structured programme and valued companionship.
The findings of this study, including insight into motivating this population to attend, should be considered by providers and potential participants of water-based exercise classes alike, to aid in creating sustainable programmes. Strong positive feedback as well as constructive criticism from participants provided the basis of recommendations which may be used to create an optimal programme to promote long-term participation, guiding those planning to implement water-based programmes.
Keywords: Exercise, Water-based exercise, older adults, falls prevention, focus groups.
INTRODUCTION
In New Zealand, approximately 30% of people over 65 years old experience a fall at least once a year, with an estimated cost to the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) of $ 1 00 million per year (Accident Compensation Corporation 2006, Arnold and Faulkner 2007, Johnston 2006). The risk of falling is greater in older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis than in older adults without osteoarthritis (Arnold and Faulkner 2007). Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, presenting in almost half of all people over the age of 60 and nearly all people over the age of 80 (Arthritis New Zealand 2008). The large proportion of people affected suggests that interventions or strategies to prevent falls for this population are particularly important.
Land-based falls prevention programmes are available in New Zealand for the older adult population. However, these may be inappropriate for some individuals, potentially aggravating the symptoms associated with arthritis. Water-based exercise is an activity that may be a suitable alternative intervention for falls prevention exercise for older adults with OA. The buoyancy provided by the...