Irish study found that women, older people, and those more stable in addiction were more likely to return to ‘drop-in’ fitness sessions People experiencing homelessness and addiction will engage with targeted health services – such as exercise classes – if they are designed in a way which makes them accessible, new Irish research has found. The study, which involved the trial of a 16-week fitness programme, found that almost half of participants returned after their first class, while those who were older, female, and more stable in addiction returned frequently, and engaged positively with the programme. As part of the research, a multi-disciplinary team based in Trinity College Dublin explored the feasibility of an exercise intervention to target physical functioning and frailty in people experiencing homelessness and addiction.
A flexibly designed 16-week ‘drop in’ exercise programme with protein supplementation took place in Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) in Dublin City Centre. Almost 70 per cent of participants were homeless while taking part, with the remainder either deemed as vulnerably housed, or having had a history of homelessness. Almost half reported having a substance abuse disorder.
The researchers found that a targeted exercise programme was safe, feasible, and positively received by people who are homeless, with a proportion returning frequently. The group engaged with health-promoting services when designed in a way which made them accessible. Howe.