Constitutional: Keith and Cathrine Alleder participate in Active in Parks program with, at front, Rachael Healy.
By Cherie Donnellan
GEELONG doctors are prescribing exercise in parks under a state-first initiative, according to the program’s manager.
Parks Victoria’s Sue Noonan said GPs and other health professionals were prescribing outdoor exercise to “suitable patients”, particularly diabetics and people with heart conditions, as part of an Active in Parks program.
Ms Noonan said a “highly successful” trial in Geelong last year had led to the program expanding around the region.
“Almost nine million people don’t do enough physical activity on a daily basis because about 90 per cent of daily activities are done indoors.
“We found that connecting with nature decreases stress and other health-related issues.
“Low levels of activity have been linked with conditions like diabetes and heart disease, and these conditions cost government big dollars. This program could effectively change that.”
Ms Noonan said municipalities in Melbourne’s west were interested in adopting the program.
“In the next six months the program will be rolled out to other Victorian locations.”
Active in Parks involved eight weeks of training with a qualified instructor in an outdoor environment.
Rebecca Hickey, of program partner Leisure Networks, said doctors gave a “green script” for the exercise course but it was not compulsory.
“There are no consequences for patients who choose not to take up the program. The green scripts are just complementary to other treatment that the doctors offer”.
