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The provision of ‘fly-in-fly-out’ physical activity programs to Indigenous Cape York communities
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Friday 2 November Papers / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 15 (2012) S188–S264
tify a “dose” of the intervention by observing the patterns of PA behaviour using the accelerometer “heat maps”. Discussion: Although the study was underpowered, the results suggest that participation in the SfD intervention may have increased PA compared to the wait-listed subjects. Playing in a structured football match appeared to have the greatest influence on PA levels. The impact on VPA may be of particular clinical importance when considering the low volumes observed in the self-selected study sample which was biased towards higher fitness levels. Further investigation is warranted with a larger sample size that examines both genders and identifies PA type. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2012.11.625 623 The healthy lifestyle capacity building project for the remote physical activity workforce in Aborginal communties across the Northern Territory, Australia M. Kelehan ∗ Heart Foundation Northern Territory The Heart Foundation has coordinated, designed and delivered a number of workshops to the remote and very remote physical activity workforce in the Northern Territory, conducted as part of the Close the Gap initiative, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing. This project aimed to increase the reach of key health messages to widely dispersed Aboriginal populations and to promote local level appropriate action to support healthy lifestyles in remote communities. The initial workshops set the scene and had a strong focus on engaging the target groups. The project activities, in particular the workshops, were informed by the outcomes of ongoing consultation. Outputs included a series of collaborative planning forums and a showcasing Champions Forum. The primary target for this project was the remote physical activity workforce of the Northern Territory Shires. The secondary targets were Shire Managers and community members. Evaluation consisted of three components: pre and post workshop surveys of participants and a post practice survey. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Shire supervisors/managers during the Champions Forum. The evaluation focused on health awareness, knowledge and understanding of resources and messages relating to nutrition, tobacco, physical activity, and adult health checks. Pre survey results of the nutrition component have been consistent with the resources available for nutrition education in the NT over a sustained period of time versus a limited amount of resources available for tobacco. That is, participants felt more confident in their knowledge of food and nutrition and would be more likely to undertake implementing a community physical activity event or program based on their knowledge of nutrition than they would for tobacco cessation. Workers self reported knowledge in nutrition and tobacco, however, does not fit with the views of the managers/supervisors group who believe that more knowledge and community level action is needed in nutrition to combat the lack of healthy food in communities or high availability of junk food, high prices or lack of income. This is the first time an in-depth evaluation has been carried out on this remote and very remote workforce of the NT. The Heart Foundation will continue to support this workforce by producing key planning resources and continue working with remote Shires to influence policy changes that will trickle down to this workforce, ensuring a more supportive healthy working environment. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2012.11.626
624 The provision of ‘fly-in-fly-out’ physical activity programs to Indigenous Cape York communities K. Meldrum ∗ , M. Dinan-Thompson James Cook University The health outcomes for Indigenous peoples are well publicised as being poorer than that of the rest of the Australian population. The importance of physical activity as part of a balanced approach to health and wellbeing are well documented. Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for many preventable diseases that many non-Indigenous, but specifically more Indigenous peoples die from. A recent report on Indigenous health indicated that only 23% of adults living in remote and very remote areas, such as Cape York, participated in regular physical activity. Physical activity initiatives in remote Indigenous communities on Cape York are commonly delivered by external agencies that ‘fly in and fly out’. While members of Indigenous communities may engage with the initiatives while they are being provided once the external agencies leave some of the benefits made may be quickly lost. There is no current published literature on the variety, prevalence and outcomes of ‘fly-in fly-out’ physical activity programs, or on the agencies that provide them. An understanding of these factors would facilitate a better understanding of the opportunities available to Indigenous communities on Cape York and provide important foregrounding to an investigation of community capacity for physical activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the range of physical activity programs being offered by external agencies to Indigenous Cape York communities. Methods: Five physical activity agencies that routinely engaged with Indigenous communities on Cape York were interviewed. The semi-structured interviews focussed on what activities were being conducted; by whom; when; and their concomitant outcomes. Interviews were recorded and professionally transcribed. Transcriptions were then analysed using content analysis to identify themes. Results: Each physical activity agency had a variety of ways of engaging with each community. The key initial focus point for each provider was the local school. Contacts within the school and opportunities to provide workshop opportunities for the students then facilitated wider community engagement. Discussion: There were limited opportunities for these agencies to build community capacity to maintain their physical activities due to a variety of reasons that included: resources (both human and material); transient populations and an entrenched culture of ‘having things done to’ rather than with Indigenous people. In order to improve the physical activity outcomes of Indigenous people on Cape York community’s strategies that engage and empower the local population to take control of their needs should be employed. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2012.11.627
Friday 2 November Papers / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 15 (2012) S188–S264
tify a “dose” of the intervention by observing the patterns of PA behaviour using the accelerometer “heat maps”. Discussion: Although the study was underpowered, the results suggest that participation in the SfD intervention may have increased PA compared to the wait-listed subjects. Playing in a structured football match appeared to have the greatest influence on PA levels. The impact on VPA may be of particular clinical importance when considering the low volumes observed in the self-selected study sample which was biased towards higher fitness levels. Further investigation is warranted with a larger sample size that examines both genders and identifies PA type. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2012.11.625 623 The healthy lifestyle capacity building project for the remote physical activity workforce in Aborginal communties across the Northern Territory, Australia M. Kelehan ∗ Heart Foundation Northern Territory The Heart Foundation has coordinated, designed and delivered a number of workshops to the remote and very remote physical activity workforce in the Northern Territory, conducted as part of the Close the Gap initiative, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing. This project aimed to increase the reach of key health messages to widely dispersed Aboriginal populations and to promote local level appropriate action to support healthy lifestyles in remote communities. The initial workshops set the scene and had a strong focus on engaging the target groups. The project activities, in particular the workshops, were informed by the outcomes of ongoing consultation. Outputs included a series of collaborative planning forums and a showcasing Champions Forum. The primary target for this project was the remote physical activity workforce of the Northern Territory Shires. The secondary targets were Shire Managers and community members. Evaluation consisted of three components: pre and post workshop surveys of participants and a post practice survey. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Shire supervisors/managers during the Champions Forum. The evaluation focused on health awareness, knowledge and understanding of resources and messages relating to nutrition, tobacco, physical activity, and adult health checks. Pre survey results of the nutrition component have been consistent with the resources available for nutrition education in the NT over a sustained period of time versus a limited amount of resources available for tobacco. That is, participants felt more confident in their knowledge of food and nutrition and would be more likely to undertake implementing a community physical activity event or program based on their knowledge of nutrition than they would for tobacco cessation. Workers self reported knowledge in nutrition and tobacco, however, does not fit with the views of the managers/supervisors group who believe that more knowledge and community level action is needed in nutrition to combat the lack of healthy food in communities or high availability of junk food, high prices or lack of income. This is the first time an in-depth evaluation has been carried out on this remote and very remote workforce of the NT. The Heart Foundation will continue to support this workforce by producing key planning resources and continue working with remote Shires to influence policy changes that will trickle down to this workforce, ensuring a more supportive healthy working environment. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2012.11.626
624 The provision of ‘fly-in-fly-out’ physical activity programs to Indigenous Cape York communities K. Meldrum ∗ , M. Dinan-Thompson James Cook University The health outcomes for Indigenous peoples are well publicised as being poorer than that of the rest of the Australian population. The importance of physical activity as part of a balanced approach to health and wellbeing are well documented. Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for many preventable diseases that many non-Indigenous, but specifically more Indigenous peoples die from. A recent report on Indigenous health indicated that only 23% of adults living in remote and very remote areas, such as Cape York, participated in regular physical activity. Physical activity initiatives in remote Indigenous communities on Cape York are commonly delivered by external agencies that ‘fly in and fly out’. While members of Indigenous communities may engage with the initiatives while they are being provided once the external agencies leave some of the benefits made may be quickly lost. There is no current published literature on the variety, prevalence and outcomes of ‘fly-in fly-out’ physical activity programs, or on the agencies that provide them. An understanding of these factors would facilitate a better understanding of the opportunities available to Indigenous communities on Cape York and provide important foregrounding to an investigation of community capacity for physical activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the range of physical activity programs being offered by external agencies to Indigenous Cape York communities. Methods: Five physical activity agencies that routinely engaged with Indigenous communities on Cape York were interviewed. The semi-structured interviews focussed on what activities were being conducted; by whom; when; and their concomitant outcomes. Interviews were recorded and professionally transcribed. Transcriptions were then analysed using content analysis to identify themes. Results: Each physical activity agency had a variety of ways of engaging with each community. The key initial focus point for each provider was the local school. Contacts within the school and opportunities to provide workshop opportunities for the students then facilitated wider community engagement. Discussion: There were limited opportunities for these agencies to build community capacity to maintain their physical activities due to a variety of reasons that included: resources (both human and material); transient populations and an entrenched culture of ‘having things done to’ rather than with Indigenous people. In order to improve the physical activity outcomes of Indigenous people on Cape York community’s strategies that engage and empower the local population to take control of their needs should be employed. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2012.11.627