These barriers can include physical access to the gym as well as social barriers related to confidence, inclusion and familiarity.
For some young people it can also be challenging to read fitness information, follow complex instructions and apply numeracy concepts to understand the rate, frequency, intensity and weights used in their workout.
Research conducted through La Trobe University recently aimed to explore how a mentoring program could reduce barriers to gym participation for young people.
Although run as a community-based program, Fitskills also has some great potential benefits for high school settings too.
The concept is simple – pair a student volunteer with a young person with disability, both of whom are keen to get into the gym and work out.
Provide some guidance and light touch administration and support to keep things going, then let friendships and a sense of community do the heavy lifting.
In the pilot program run by Down Syndrome Victoria and evaluated by a team of researchers led by Dr Nora Sheilds from La Trobe University, 16 volunteer mentors were paired with 16 young people with disability.
The results were generally positive, with the young people saying they would recommend the program to others and enjoying the social and fitness benefits that resulted from exercising together.
Further research extended Fitskills to take in 163 participants with disability and 123 mentors across 11 sites.
Results were generally positive, with an increase in participation in activity levels and in the time spent doing physical activity in the period just after the program.
The increase in the number of activities in which young people with disability participated in remained higher up to 15 months after the project was completed. For some participants, the pairing with their mentor continued after the research itself wrapped up.
In a high school setting, it is important to find evidence-based approaches to learning which are scalable and can be completed using often scarce physical and human resources.
This is where Fitskills and similar programs become a viable tool which can be used within the existing school structures, supported by current PE staff.
Student mentors from the school community can become volunteers who gain the benefits of experiencing positive inclusion in action, as well as developing new communication, problem solving and teamwork skills.
For young people with disability, the gym can become a more familiar and accessible place where they can participate in regular physical exercise alongside their mentor.
The potential physical benefits for all participants are clear, with the ability to work on individual fitness goals for strength, endurance, flexibility, agility or cardiovascular fitness.
As the program continues, there is room for mentors to reduce their support over time, so the young person feels confident attending the gym independently if they wish to, or continuing with the mentoring arrangement if they prefer.
This can lead to longer term participation gains, which extend beyond the school setting and into community gyms.
And one of the best benefits? Doing an activity with a buddy is just so much more fun!
