RIDING THE NEW WAVE OF HEALTH RESEARCH AT PCH
Professor Liz Davis (right) and Mary, who took part in the Move to Improve pilot program
A new research project at Perth Children’s Hospital is exploring the transformative power of exercise for young people living with illness.
Chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and cerebral palsy affect one in five Australian children, who in turn face a greater risk of mental and physical illness in adulthood.
The Move to Improve program seeks to address this problem by harnessing the concept of “exercise as medicine”, in which physical activity and health promotion is incorporated into a patient’s routine clinical care.
The project is funded by a partnership between the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation and the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, with additional contributions from Mineral Resources Limited, the Channel 7 Telethon Trust, Amazon, Globe BD and the Western Australian community.
According to Professor Liz Davis, Head of Diabetes and Endocrinology and Co-Lead of Move to Improve, the exercise-as-medicine approach offers a wide range of benefits that extend beyond the patient’s physical recovery.
“We've become really good at prescribing medicines and surgical treatments but one thing we just haven't done is incorporate exercise as a medicine,” Professor Davis said. “Exercise has enormous benefits not only for mental and physical health but helps re-engage confidence and connection.”
Many children living with chronic diseases find it more difficult to access and enjoy physical activities, due to their unique physical needs and emotional barriers like low self-esteem.
The expert team of clinicians and researchers involved in Move to Improve are hoping to break down these barriers by developing new programs that let kids build confidence as they take part in exercise and outdoor activity.
One such initiative has already shown promising results: children with a range of conditions at Perth Children’s Hospital are now able to take part in a surfing program, which offers numerous benefits for patients and their families.
“When I'm out in the water and I'm surfing, I feel like I'm more free. My body feels stronger, more in control of things,” said Mary, a nine-year-old living with cystic fibrosis who took part in the initial pilot program.
“When I have freedom, I feel like I can be myself and when I can be myself, I can be most happy.”
To learn more about the positive impact that Move to Improve is having on kids like Mary, check out the video below.
“When I have freedom, I feel like I can be myself and when I can be myself, I can be most happy.”
— Mary, Move to Improve participant
Published: 11 July 2022