Multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease and stroke are commonly seen neurological conditions that result in a variety of symptoms often reducing an individual’s ability to walk, to socialise as they would like and their quality of life . In Ireland, most individuals with these conditions see their physiotherapist in primary care. The key goals of physiotherapy in primary care settings are to provide management and treatment programmes that promote health, prevent further deterioration and hospitalisation and optimise quality of life. Research has found that exercise and rehabilitation are key elements of management programmes aiming to achieve such goals. Recent studies suggest that aerobic exercise is possible and leads to many improvements.
The PCCC team in Cork in conjunction with exercise staff at the Leisureworld Group in Cork city have developed a novel exercise intervention programme for the management of neurological conditions, using a specific and separate area of the gym for people with disabilities and mobility issues. The purpose of this ‘Functional Training Zone’ is to provide easy access and opportunity for people with specific mobility needs to exercise under the supervision of an exercise professional implementing a programme that has been prescribed in conjunction with a physiotherapist.
Subsequently, the aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of this novel exercise programme, by examining both the perspectives of the participants themselves and the programme deliverers, by means of focus group interviews. This research will be used to inform the future development of this programme and improve its effectiveness.
