A program to improve muscle fitness for primary school students in Newcastle, developed by researchers at the University of Newcastle, has been allocated $10,000 to develop a pilot program in the Hunter.
The 'Muscle Movers' project has sought to address a 30-year decline in muscular fitness in children - a trend that researchers say is even more pronounced in children fro low socio-economic backgrounds. In response, the UON team has proposed an age-appropriate muscle strengthening exercise regime that could be delivered by classroom teachers.
The project was one of 10 health and fitness projects from around Australia to win a share in the Active Australia Innovation Challenge, cumulatively worth $100,000, delivered by the Heart Foundation and funded by the federal government's Department of Health.
Adjunct Professor John Kelly, the Heart Foundation's CEO, congratulated the recipients, adding that "we're supporting community-based initiatives that will encourage Aussies to get more active and live a healthier lifestyle".
Nearly six in ten Australian adults, three quarters of seniors and over eight in 10 children and young people are not active enough for good heart health, Prof. Kelly said. "This is concerning, given physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease, which continues to be the single leading cause of death in this country. Heart disease claims an Australian life every 29 minutes."
UON researchers indicated the money would be used to develop program resources and to help realise a pilot study to be delivered to two Newcastle primary schools.
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