START: Strength Training Awareness and Referral Technology
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Salford
Department Name: School of Health and Society
Abstract
Physical inactivity costs the UK £7 billion each year and is responsible for 1 in every 6 deaths. Although a number of exercise programmes have aimed to address the global challenge of ageing and inactivity, there continues to be a shortage of successful programmes in real-world settings. When older adults become inactive, they lose their strength and become weak. Older adults who are weak are more likely to have a fall, become hospitalized, depressed, develop diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and live in a care home much earlier than they should.
Providing people with an exercise programme while they are still healthy, and before they shown signs of muscle weakness can prevent these devastating outcomes. Exercise referral as a routine part of healthcare and providing all adults the opportunity and benefits of participating in exercise will also help to reduce health inequalities in later life. Research shows that doctors don't feel confident discussing or referring exercise to their patients. While our research shows that older adults and exercise providers are unaware of exercise guidelines, the benefits of exercise participation, and where to turn to for support.
Our mission is to connect older adults with the tailored exercise programs that are proven to lower the risk of disability and disease. Our platform will be an easy-to-use tool for doctors and exercise providers to support exercise awareness, knowledge, referral, and support while its use will lead to a happier, healthier, and more active population.
Providing people with an exercise programme while they are still healthy, and before they shown signs of muscle weakness can prevent these devastating outcomes. Exercise referral as a routine part of healthcare and providing all adults the opportunity and benefits of participating in exercise will also help to reduce health inequalities in later life. Research shows that doctors don't feel confident discussing or referring exercise to their patients. While our research shows that older adults and exercise providers are unaware of exercise guidelines, the benefits of exercise participation, and where to turn to for support.
Our mission is to connect older adults with the tailored exercise programs that are proven to lower the risk of disability and disease. Our platform will be an easy-to-use tool for doctors and exercise providers to support exercise awareness, knowledge, referral, and support while its use will lead to a happier, healthier, and more active population.
Organisations
- University of Salford (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Melbourne (Collaboration)
- Stockport NHS Foundation Trust (Collaboration)
- WIGAN COUNCIL (Collaboration)
- Edinburgh Leisure (Collaboration)
- Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Collaboration)
- PREMIER Biosoft (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER (Collaboration)
- Salford City Council (Collaboration)
- GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY (Collaboration)
| Title | STRONGER at HOME |
| Description | Learning series on Strength Training for Health - audiences include primary care, leisure centres/exercise professionals, and general public |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | Used in clinics internationally to signpost patients, as part of upskilling workforce (social workers), and for general public |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/@STRONGERaHOME |
| Description | Ashley's latest research brought UK citizens together to have their say on messaging strategies for the strength component of the physical activity guidelines. During this research, she found that her participants wanted: • Mass media campaigns linking to evidence-based information about strength training via QR code • 'How to do it' content - since 'how' to perform strength-based exercise was the main barrier to participation in this component of the guidelines • Their workplace to promote and encourage strength training, given its benefits in reducing sedentary behavior, boosting productivity, and increasing resilience to musculoskeletal issues. From this input, Ashley and her public participants have co-designed 11 messaging guidelines (Image 2). These are guidelines that the workplace, gyms or leisure centers, and healthcare organizations can follow as a starting point when promoting or designing strength training in their own setting or context. These 11 guidelines suggest • Using real images of real people being strong and active in a variety of ways (not just of athletic-looking young people in a gym setting), • Focusing on both the short and long-term benefits of strength training, including the physical, mental and social health benefits, and • Ensuring that ability-appropriate options are available for everyone, including people who are new to strength training as well as those looking to effectively continue on their strength training journey These 11 guidelines can be used when communicating, developing formal messaging (example: social media campaigns), or designing and promoting strength training programmes for the target population (employees, members/clients, and/or patients). |
| Exploitation Route | Ashley hopes this new strength training messaging guidance will stimulate further discussion on how to remove barriers for those who are new to strength training and how to keep people adhering to strength training, long term. She hopes that improved messaging around the strength component of the guidelines will help strength training to be seen as inclusive, removing the current barriers to participation and encouraging participation in this vitally important component of the physical activity guidelines. The website can and has been used by others to improve their physical activity participation in line with the Chief Medical Officers' physical activity guidelines. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Education Healthcare Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Government Democracy and Justice |
| URL | https://strongerahome.com |
| Description | Findings have been used by the public, exercise instructors, leisure centre providers, health care providers. We have begun to change cultural norms around strength training in mid-to-later life, providing evidence-based, trustworthy, inclusive, and clearly communicated information for all to use from beginner to advanced. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Education,Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | GP Training |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Upskilled clinical workforce to be able to discuss, promote, and refer to strength training will have significant effect on decreasing the burden on the NHS and its workforce by referring patients and public to community-based services (leisure centres) to manage their health conditions with physical activity (Strength Training) |
| Description | GMCA |
| Organisation | Greater Manchester Combined Authority |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | On steering group - women wellbeing at work policy project |
| Collaborator Contribution | Interested in bringing healthy ageing academic and physical activity expert (PI) on board to improve experiences of older women at work |
| Impact | Muli-disciplinary Academic in psychology and public health Combined authority Workplace policy |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | Healthy Ageing Collaboration for funding proposal |
| Organisation | Edinburgh Leisure |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | PI for implementation proposal in strength training in the community |
| Collaborator Contribution | All collaborators have made significant contributions to proposal |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary City councils Public health decision makers Leisure centres managers Exercise instructors Public citizens Academics in implementation science, economics, physical activity |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Healthy Ageing Collaboration for funding proposal |
| Organisation | PREMIER Biosoft |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | PI for implementation proposal in strength training in the community |
| Collaborator Contribution | All collaborators have made significant contributions to proposal |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary City councils Public health decision makers Leisure centres managers Exercise instructors Public citizens Academics in implementation science, economics, physical activity |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Healthy Ageing Collaboration for funding proposal |
| Organisation | Salford City Council |
| Department | Salford Community Leisure |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | PI for implementation proposal in strength training in the community |
| Collaborator Contribution | All collaborators have made significant contributions to proposal |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary City councils Public health decision makers Leisure centres managers Exercise instructors Public citizens Academics in implementation science, economics, physical activity |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Healthy Ageing Collaboration for funding proposal |
| Organisation | Stockport NHS Foundation Trust |
| Department | Stockport Pharmaceuticals |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | PI for implementation proposal in strength training in the community |
| Collaborator Contribution | All collaborators have made significant contributions to proposal |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary City councils Public health decision makers Leisure centres managers Exercise instructors Public citizens Academics in implementation science, economics, physical activity |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Healthy Ageing Collaboration for funding proposal |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | PI for implementation proposal in strength training in the community |
| Collaborator Contribution | All collaborators have made significant contributions to proposal |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary City councils Public health decision makers Leisure centres managers Exercise instructors Public citizens Academics in implementation science, economics, physical activity |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Healthy Ageing Collaboration for funding proposal |
| Organisation | University of Manchester |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | PI for implementation proposal in strength training in the community |
| Collaborator Contribution | All collaborators have made significant contributions to proposal |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary City councils Public health decision makers Leisure centres managers Exercise instructors Public citizens Academics in implementation science, economics, physical activity |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Healthy Ageing Collaboration for funding proposal |
| Organisation | University of Melbourne |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | PI for implementation proposal in strength training in the community |
| Collaborator Contribution | All collaborators have made significant contributions to proposal |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary City councils Public health decision makers Leisure centres managers Exercise instructors Public citizens Academics in implementation science, economics, physical activity |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Healthy Ageing Collaboration for funding proposal |
| Organisation | Wigan Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | PI for implementation proposal in strength training in the community |
| Collaborator Contribution | All collaborators have made significant contributions to proposal |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary City councils Public health decision makers Leisure centres managers Exercise instructors Public citizens Academics in implementation science, economics, physical activity |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Peel Park |
| Organisation | Salford City Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Contributing to the first-ever motion capture fitness trail for the public in Peel Park |
| Collaborator Contribution | Salford city council looking to have healthy living theme at the UK's oldest park - Peel Park 180th birthday celebration |
| Impact | In August 2026 |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | Salford City Council |
| Organisation | Salford City Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | On falls prevention and physical activity messaging steering group |
| Collaborator Contribution | Using my research and entrepreneurial expertise gained during this award to improve physical activity, health, and independence of older adults in Salford |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary City council Public health NHS Leisure centres Allied health professionals PI - clinical exercise physiologist and academic in healthy ageing |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Stockport NHS ICB and Greater Manchester Training Hub |
| Organisation | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | PI is providing Masterclasses (upskilling) of the Primary Care clinicians (clinical roles) and non-clinical roles (social prescribers) in Greater Manchester around strength training promotion, prescription, and referral |
| Collaborator Contribution | Clinicians are discussing and referring to my enterprise (developed during this award) |
| Impact | Feedback forms have been collected Masterclasses outside of Greater Manchester have been arranged Research in progress Clinical roles in primary care Non clinical roles in primary care PI - clinical exercise physiologist in public health |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Keynote in Australia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Over 100 people at the ANZSSFR 6th Annual Scientific Meeting WEDNESDAY 22 MAY- FRIDAY 24 MAY 2024- DEAKIN DOWNTOWN- MELBOURNE The 6th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR) will take place from 22 - 24 May 2024 at Deakin Downtown in Melbourne, Australia. We welcome you to join our multi-disciplinary meeting that will bring together clinicians including Geriatricians, Rehabilitation Physicians, Endocrinologists, Rheumatologists, General Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals (Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Exercise Physiologists, Nurses, etc.) and scientists with a research interest in all aspects of sarcopenia and frailty and the role of exercise, nutrition, and pharmaceutical approaches to address these conditions. Sarcopenia and frailty are potentially devastating conditions that affect many people globally and present a major challenge to the functional independence and quality of life of our older population. The theme of this year's meeting is 'From Lab to Life: Bridging the Research to Practice Gap for Sarcopenia and Frailty'. Our innovative and dynamic program will showcase new knowledge on preventative and treatment strategies for sarcopenia and frailty, and how these approaches may be translated into clinical settings. Speakers will include local and international experts, emerging researchers and participants from across the research and practice spectrum. Our scientific program includes ample opportunities for delegates to network in-person, attend a pre-conference workshop and submit abstracts for oral and poster in-person presentations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Mancunian News |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interviewed for Mancunian Matters for longevity piece and how to improve health and health span |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/30102024-watch-how-can-salford-residents-extend-their-lifesp... |
| Description | Salford Falls Group, GM Falls Collaboration, and Yorkshire andHumber Falls Collaboration |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Strength training talks for several regions in the UK. All disciplines interested in reducing falls |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Strength breaks in the workplace |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Multiple seminar on the dangers of desk-based work on our health and how strength breaks can help to improve our health, productivity, mood, energy levels and aches and pains. Referral to enterprise activities for further information on how to incorporate strength into their lives. Events have sold out, indicating a need for this, feedback forms gained incredible reviews (increased awareness, knowledge, and behaviour), public requested more policy in workplace wellbeing, video to be made and policy to be changed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |
| URL | https://www.salford.ac.uk/news/ashley-makes-strong-case-for-strength-training-for-all-0 |
| Description | The Conversation x2 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One The Conversation article did so well that the editor asked for me to write a follow up piece. One of the best performing articles coming from my institution. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/desk-jobs-can-be-killers-heres-how-strength-training-at-work-can-help-22... |
| Description | UK Active |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Blog for UKACTIVE - ukactive exists to improve the health of the nation by getting more people, more active, more often. ukactive provides services and facilitates partnerships for a broad range of organisations, all of which support our vision and have a role to play in achieving that goal. We serve over 4,000 members and partners from across the public, private and third sectors, from multinational giants to local voluntary community groups. We do so by facilitating partnerships, campaigning and providing outstanding membership services. One of their best performing blogs on social media. Great interest in the topic from all parties. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.ukactive.com/blog/how-can-gyms-and-leisure-centres-better-support-older-people-to-do-mor... |
| Description | UoM ECR event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Talk to Early Career Researchers in Greater Manchester on how to use enterprise and social media to future proof your research career |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |