Welsh councils choose lifetrail for older generation fitness
LifeTrail, Playworld’s new
concept for older generation fitness, has caught the attention of
the Welsh Assembly as a means of encouraging mature residents into
taking physical activity outdoors.
As a result, Playworld Systems received orders totalling
£400,000 from several Welsh councils as part of the Welsh
‘Climbing Higher Initiative’, with first installations
of LifeTrail sparking television coverage. It’s
certainly a bold initiative by the Welsh Assembly setting the scene
for other parts of the country to encourage a healthier way of life
for the older generation.
Playworld Systems’ wellness stations provide people with the
opportunity to take beneficial
I |
|
LifeTrail, Playworld’s new concept for older generation
fitness.
|
exercise as they take a normal walk through a park or open
space. Each wellness station can offer lower body warm-up
with leg-pedalling, bench step-up, torso stability, upper body
warm-up using arm-pedalling, standing push-ups, forearm rolls,
upper body strengthening with spring loaded levers, lower body
stretch and balance exercises.
In fact, it has been shown that a daily total of just 30 minutes
moderate intensity activity taken five times a week is enough to
drastically reduce the risk of premature death and as much as half
the risk of developing a major chronic disease such as coronary
heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
The opening of the first Welsh LifeTrail project took place at
Tredegar Park, Newport on 21 May 2007 and since then a total of 20
projects have been installed throughout Wales, from Cardiff,
Pontypridd, Aberdare and Torfaen through to Merthyr Tydfil,
Ceredigion, Bridgend, Carmarthen, Swansea and Flintshire in North
Wales. Now a second phase of Welsh Assembly funding should
see further installations of LifeTrail in Wales.
Commenting on LifeTrail, operations director Paul Clarkson said,
“Research has proven that regular, moderate exercise is vital
for our health, and this is particularly important for the older
generation. LifeTrail promotes a well-rounded fitness
programme for active adults, and is suitable for people of all ages
and abilities”.
Further information on LifeTrail and other Playworld products is
available from Playworld Systems on 01531 636010, by emailing
info@playworldsystems.co.uk
or by visiting www.playworldsystems.co.uk