Fit for prison: Special population health and fitness programme evaluation

• Published in: International journal of prisoner health Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 208 - 216
• Main Authors: Cashin, Andrew, Potter, Emily, Stevens, Warren, Davidson, Kerri, Muldoon, Diane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Emerald Group Publishing Limited 01-01-2008
• Subjects: Adult; Chronic Disease - rehabilitation; Chronic illness; Chronic illnesses; Chronic sickness; Correctional institutions; Correctional setting; Exercise; Exercise Test; Exercise Therapy; Fitness; Health; Health Promotion; Health services; Heart rate; Humans; Male; Males; Middle Aged; Mortality; New South Wales; Obesity; Physical Fitness; Prevention; Prisoners; Public health; Quality of life; Resting; Risk factors; New South Wales; Australia; New South Wales Australia; Australia, New South Wales; Chronic illness; Correctional setting; Exercise
• ISSN: 1744-9200; 1744-9219
• DOI: 10.1080/17449200802473131

Objective. To evaluate a health and fitness programme conducted within a New South Wales, Australia correctional facility for male inmates with a chronic illness. Design. A randomised control trial. Sample. Twenty male inmate participants with a chronic illness, two risk factors for developing a chronic illness or who were over the age of 40 years. Measurements. Pre and post programme health assessments that included resting blood pressure and heart rate, weight, body mass index, waist girth, peak flow measures, peripheral saturation of oxygen, blood glucose levels and 6 minute walk test. Intervention. A 12-week structured exercise programme focusing on cardio respiratory endurance, strength and flexibility training. Results. Statistically significant improvements in resting heart rate and endurance were found. Conclusions. The health and fitness programme positively impacts on the health of inmates with a chronic illness. A further study with a larger sample size would be productive.