Physiotherapy August 2002/vol 88/no 8

507Book reviews

Age Concern England, 1268 London Road, LondonSW16 4ER2002 (ISBN 0 86242 289 2). Illus. 156 pages

by Julie Sobczak £11.99This Age Concern book is primarily aimed at those workingin retirement or nursing homes, who both have an interestin developing chair-based exercise classes for older people,and wish to incorporate rehabilitation into their dailyphilosophy of care. The author aims to discuss theimportance of exercise for older people and provideinstruction in delivering chair-based exercise classes forelderly clients, with particular attention given to those incare. The overall objective of this book is to develop a bodyof knowledge in appropriate exercises to enhance quality oflife.

All ten chapters are packed full of relevant and up-to-dateinformation organised into succinct sections. Alive andKicking logically progresses from the importance of exercise,structuring a session, specific exercise instruction andrelaxation through to developing local physical activityopportunities. Throughout Alive and Kicking safety issues areappropriately addressed and opportunities for furthertraining are discussed and recommended.

Chapter 2 looks at the effects of ageing on thebody, how exercise can help, and where cautionneeds to be employed. Although brief, the depth isrelevant to the target audience and the author pointsto sources for a wider outlook.

Chapter 4 by Susie Dinan is concerned with safety, andprovides comprehensive advice on environmental safety,pre-exercise assessment, adapting exercise for commondiseases and disabilities, and warning signs to look out for. A useful pre-exercise questionnaire is included in theappendix.

The bulk of the book is contained in chapter 5‘Structuring an exercise session’, where specific exercises are described in detail. Most exercises are illustrated withclear and easy-to-follow photographs, and include both freeactive exercises and Theraband-resisted work. Each exerciseis identified as being suitable for warm-up, cool-down,stretching, endurance, strengthening or relaxation. Safetytips are included in text boxes on each page.

I found of particular interest the final chapter, in whichPiers Simey describes how exercise classes for older peoplefit in with current relevant government policies. Advice is given on how to make a proposal attractive to partici-pants, supporting organisations and prospective fundingorganisations, marketing classes and the importance ofidentifying methods of evaluation.

Although primarily aimed at those working in care homes,in my opinion this book would also be a useful resource forphysiotherapists involved in elderlycare, physiotherapy assistants andstudents, activity organisers andexercise instructors. On the whole it isan interesting read and providesexcellent value for money.

Alive and KickingThe carer’s guide to exercise for older people

Shown here: Chair push-ups,described as astrengtheningexercise for theshoulders whichalso makesdemands onarms, hands,back, thighs,knees and feet,and can relieve pressure on the sacral area.

This is part of a typical presentation inthe book of an introduction to asequence of two or three monochromephotographs, paralleled with a step-by-step description of the exercise,and a list of safety tips (right)

Reviewed by Victoria Johnston

BSc MCSP

Safety Tips for chair push-ups� It is important to rise from the

chair in an upward movement,keeping the back as straight aspossible to avid fallingforward.

� Many class members will beunable to raise themselves outof the chair.

Do not force this move – just getting the body into theready position for the movewill initially be quite enoughfor some.

� Those with loss of function onone side can press down withthe unaffected side to correctposture and sit as tall aspossible.

� Breathe normally throughoutthe move.

� Prepare for this move withwarm-up exercises for the feetand legs.

� This move needs to besupervised initially.

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