Across Argyll and Bute people are signing up for ArgyllActive, an eight-week fitness plan to give them a better understanding of the benefits of regular exercise, help them recover from health problems and reduce the risk of serious chronic illness.

Last year, qualified fitness instructors in the council’s leisure service helped 343 people who were referred by GPs and physiotherapists, mental health practitioners and the council’s housing services, for supervised fitness sessions.  In Dunoon, 128 people attended sessions, in Helensburgh there were 79, in Campbeltown 54 participants and in Lochgilphead there were 82.

There was a 37% increase on people attending sessions, compared with the previous year. In addition, 55% of people who started the programme continued to exercise after their initial eight week programme. Feedback shows that over 88% of clients ‘felt better after attending the course’ and many said it improved their overall confidence

The programme aims to encourage participants to undertake physical activity of 30 minutes or more on five or more days per week.

The council’s Policy Lead for Community and Culture, Councillor Robin Currie, said, “The council is working to ensure that people in our communities have the opportunity to live healthy, active lives from as early an age as possible. However, if ill health strikes, the ArgyllActive programme is designed to help people regain their fitness and their confidence.

“The council has introduced ArgyllActive to more and more of our leisure centres from the outset in 2003 until now. Training is going on in Rothesay and in Lochgilphead to extend the service further.

“Argyll and Bute has a considerably higher percentage of adults in the 65plus age bracket than the national average – so we have an even greater responsibility to provide ways for our communities to increase their levels of activity.”

Regular physical activity can reduce the incidence of many chronic conditions such as :  Coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke, cancer, mental health problems, musculoskeletal problems

ArgyllActive also includes a cardiac rehabilitation programme for people who have suffered a heart complaint and which is provided by BACPR (British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation) qualified instructors

FACTS and FIGURES

• The council’s fitness instructors are qualified to the Register of Exercise Professionals Level 3 and above
• Not all clients (33%) who were referred felt they were ready to start the programme
• 69% of people continued to meet their recommended daily exercise target after completing the programme
• The programme in funded by the council with subsidy from the NHS, however the income generated by the programme, plus the NHS subsidy, enables the programme to cover delivery costs.
• Clients pay reduced prices of £2.75 per session instead of £4.10 – this includes access to the swimming pool and health suite
• The programme is in place in Helensburgh, Campbeltown and Dunoon with instructors currently being trained to deliver in Rothesay Leisure Centre and Lochgilphead Mid Argyll Sports Centre
• The programme was first introduced in the Riverside Swim and Health Centre in Dunoon in 2003; Helensburgh Swim and Health Centre in 2008; and Campbeltown Aqualibrium 2011
• The programme works on the basis of promoting the physical activity target of 30 minutes or more on five or more days per week as recommended in the ‘Start Active, Stay Active’ repost from Chief Medical Officers in 2011 which can be accessed here -https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/start-active-stay-active-a-report-on-physical-activity-from-the-four-home-countries-chief-medical-officers