Lifeball Evaluation Trial

Background

Participation in regular physical activity is beneficial for seniors. As well as physiological and psychological benefits, it has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Appropriate physical activity also contributes to improving the self-management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis. It has been shown to have a protective effect against falls injuries through building muscle strength, balance, flexibility and fitness. Since falls injuries are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation and death in people aged over 65, this is also a high priority for health promotion programs for older people.

The psychological benefits of participation in physical activity groups include improvements in socialisation and social confidence. In turn, improvement in quality of life often results in increased confidence in carrying out everyday activities and feelings of control over one�s own health and well-being.

Prior to this project Lifeball groups had been formed in several areas across NSW. To date, however, there had been no formal implementation of the program on a wider scale, nor had there been a thorough evaluation to fully explore the health and quality of life benefits for Lifeball participants.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the project was to evaluate the implentation of Lifeball groups in four participating Area Health Service (Hunter, Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Great Murray) to determine:

Feasibility and acceptance of Lifeball to veternas and related organisations
Potential of Lifeball for positive outcomes related to the health, well-being and quality of life of participants

Implementation

In partnership with NSW Health, the evaluation of Lifeball involved all people in each of the four participating Area Health Services (Hunter, Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Greater Murray) that agreed to participate in the evaluation project on the day they register to join LifeBall (play their first game). The contact details of those who consented to participate in the evaluation were forwarded to the evaluation project team based at Hunter Population Health.

Evaluation participants were asked to complete a telephone survey on two occasions:

1 week (approximately) after registering for Lifeball and playing their first game (baseline)
12 months (approximately) after completing the first survey (12 month follow-up)

Grant funding for the evaluation of Lifeball was received from NSW Health Injury Prevention Policy Branch and was conducted in partnership with Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and Greater Murray Area Health Services.

Progress:

Lifeball groups were established in the following locations in the Hunter: Broadmeadow, Maitland, Cessnock, Warners Bay, Windale, Nelson Bay, Tilligerry Peninsula and Rutherford.

For more information about the Lifeball Evaluation Trial, contact HNEPH .