Community event offered walking tips to help older adults stay active and walk better

On September 26, Walk the BEST You Can, the innovative community event organized by McGill rehabilitation researcher Nancy Mayo, PhD and her collaborators to promote BEST (BEtter, faster, longer, STronger) walking techniques and exercises to older adults and people with mobility challenges, took place in Côte Saint-Luc’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau Park. The new Walk-BEST Exercise Structure designed by McGill University’s School of Physical & Occupational Therapy (SPOT) rehabilitation science researchers and clinicians was also unveiled.

Physiotherapist explaining exercise to a women sitting on the bench part of outdoor exercise structure.

With over 200 people in attendance, the group was able to share walking expertise and gather feedback on the exercise structure, walking technologies and assessments, and fitness activities from those who dropped by.

“The whole team of researchers, clinicians and fitness experts were occupied the entire time answering questions, leading workshops, and provided over 70 walking assessments. It was a super successful event!” according to Mayo, of SPOT. The team was delighted to unveil the prototype of the exercise structure, manufactured and installed by Dimartech, a Montreal steel manufacturing company. Resembling a large chair, the structure is designed to allow people of different sizes and abilities to perform stretches and exercises that target the muscle groups required for healthy walking and balance. A helpful list of diagrams depicting the numerous exercises and stretches possible will be available beside the structure.

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