Chair-Based Exercise Leadership Course

Welcome to a continuum of training for health and exercise professionals and those interested in working with older people. The continuum was developed to increase the accessibility, consistency, safety, and effectiveness of physical activity and exercise programmes for frailer, older people. Currently the continuum consists of three levels of training programmes, falls prevention, chair-based exercise and activity motivator training for peer mentors. All three programmes aim to increase habitual physical activity levels and improve functional capacity and independence in this vulnerable, population group.

The continuum is an evidence-based approach to ensure that exercise programmes aiming to promote independence and/or to reduce the risk of falls and injuries among older people are specific, progressive, and effective. Professional training opportunities offered within the continuum can form an important component of a local falls prevention programme, equipping health and exercise professionals and senior peer activity motivators to work towards these national targets as well as contributing to promoting independence and quality of life.  

Commissioned by the Department of Health, the continuum was developed by a team including Susie Dinan, Senior Clinical Exercise Practitioner and Research Fellow at the Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences Royal Free, at University College School of Medicine, London, Dr. Dawn Skelton, Project Co-ordinator, Prevention of Falls Network Europe, University of Manchester and Bob Laventure, Physical Activity Consultant at the British Heart Foundation Centre for Physical Activity, Loughborough University.

The Training Curriculum is supported by a National Advisory Group consisting of key personnel from Age Concern England, Ageing Well Active Age Unit; BHF National Centre For Physical Activity and Health, Loughborough University; Extend; Health Development Agency; Help The Aged; National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People; Research Into Ageing; Department of Primary Care & Population Science, Old Age Psychiatry & Health Services for Elderly People, University College School of Medicine & Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust, London; Department of Geriatric Medicine, King’s College London: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Edinburgh University; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital; Departments of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, St. George’s Hospital NHS Trust and Medical School.

Piloted by Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority and initially administered by East Midlands and Penine Training, Leicester College.

The Otago Exercise Programme Leaders Award is the newest course in the continuum. It was developed in collaboration with Professor John Campbell and Dr Clare Robertson of Otago University, New Zealand and with Julie Whitney of Kings College Hospital Trust, London, UK and launched by us in 2007.

"Motivate Me" is a new one day course designed by Bob Laventure following calls from CBE and OEP Leaders on extra training on how to positively influence the uptake and adherence of older people to exercise and increased physical activity.

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