Nature Rx: Foundations of Outdoor Physical Activity Prescription for Older Adults

Overview:
Many older adults fall short of meeting current physical activity guidelines, and environments can both hinder and foster older adults’ physical activity levels. This introduction to outdoor physical activity prescription will provide an overview of:

• Environmental factors impacting physical activity
• Adaptability and vulnerability of older adults to rising temperatures
• Current recommendations and practical strategies for safe outdoor physical activity in hot weather
• Benefits of outdoor-based physical activity
• Introduction to nature-based interventions as modes of outdoor physical activity prescription in physiotherapy practice

Instructor Biographies:
Nicole Struthers is a student in the Combined MPT/PhD program at Western University. Her research is focused on the use of nature-based interventions in managing non-communicable diseases, environmental physical therapy, planetary health, and physical therapy education and practice in the context of ongoing climate change. Nicole’s expertise contributes to discussions of how physical therapy can contribute to making both people and our planet attain the highest possible standard of health and well-being.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this workshop participants will be able to:

1. Identify environmental factors contributing to physical activity behaviours of older adults.
2. Implement current recommendations and practical strategies to promote safe physical activity in hot weather.
3. Educate on nature-based interventions and the benefits when co-creating treatment plans with patients/clients.

Cost:

• Free for SHD members;
• CPA Members (not SHD) $10.00;
• Non-CPA members $20.00