Background:

There are few opportunities for structured exercise programmes in Aboriginal Communities due to remoteness and a lack of qualified staff. Resistance exercise programs have been shown to improve glycaemic control and possibly delay onset of diabetes. Lift for Life is run in 8 week blocks with two one hour sessions per week. The aim of this intervention was to deliver a sustainable culturally acceptable resistance exercise program within a Remote Aboriginal Community supported by a Partnership Delivery Model.

Methods:

Results/Discussions:

Five Community Based Community workers were trained and received accreditation to deliver the Lift For Life exercise. These workers were supported in delivering the program by weekly visits from Government and Non-Government Organisations. Community Members joined the program during the running of the first eight week block. In the last four weeks of the program attendance rate for all sessions was 87%.

Conclusions/implications:

Resistance training is an acceptable form of exercise within a remote Aboriginal context. Suitably trained Community based work can deliver these programs with support from trained professionals and should be replicable in other communities