Lift for Life
Lift for Life® is a research-to-practice program designed to be simple and fun. Resistance training has been proven to reduce the risk, or help manage, type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Lift for Life® is a resistance training program for adults with (or at risk of developing) type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions. The Lift for Life® provides for tailored programming in a group setting, meaning you can start at any level of experience.
Strength training for type 2 diabetes – the research so far
Based on the strength training research undertaken at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and other international research groups, the American Diabetes Association has revised its guidelines relating to exercise in people with type 2 diabetes. It specifically recommends that, in addition to regular aerobic exercise, strength training sessions be included into an exercise plan of people with type 2 diabetes three times per week. In addition to improving blood glucose control, strength training has a number of unique health benefits which can, and should, be enjoyed by everybody – regardless of age, body type and fitness level. These include:
- improves muscle strength, endurance and power, leading to improved ability to perform daily tasks and reduces the risk of injury
- assisting with weight control through increasing lean muscle, decreasing fat mass and therefore, increasing metabolic rate
- positive effects on bone mineral density which strengthens bones and reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures
- improved flexibility, balance and posture
- reduced pain and disability from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- reduced the effects of stress and depression added overall improvement in quality of life.
From research to real life: a program with real impact
The research conducted by the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute has generated enormous interest from the community. The Institute remains committed to translating these findings into programs that benefit the wider Australian community. This has led to the development of Lift for Life®
- Lift for Life® is a unique program which provides specialised exercise care to people with, or at risk of, type 2 diabetes and other chronic disease.
- Lift for Life® aims to improve diabetes control; decrease body fat; increase strength; and enhance general health and well-being through a structured approach to strength training.
- Lift for Life® introduces participants to progressive strength training, and supports the establishment of a regular strength training habit.
- Lift for Life® strength training programs are individually tailored to maximise results.
- Lift for Life® can only be delivered by Trainers and Providers registered with AUSactive (formerly Fitness Australia) and have completed the Lift for Life® workshop requirements.
- Lift for Life® is conducted in small groups over six months, with three distinct eight week phases, Bronze, Silver and Gold.
- The program involves:
- Medical clearance for participants assessed as being at high risk of exercise-related complications
- Baseline assessment to measure strength and functional capacity
- An individualised progressive resistance training program for each participant
- Follow-up assessments, program reviews and modifications are undertaken at each eight week phase
- Generation of electronic progress reports for participants and referring health practitioners at completion of each eight-week phase
Lift for Life® evolution:
Since mid-2003, Lift for Life® has been licensed to over 100 centres Australia-wide and over 2000 people have participated in Lift for Life® during this time. The Institute’s initial on-site program provided a testing ground for early program development whilst the experience from the roll-out to community health and fitness centres has ensured that Lift for Life® processes are appropriate to the current practices within these community-based settings. In 2010-14, the Australian Government supported Fitness Australia with the program rollout across as part of the Healthy Communities Initiative, which aimed to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity by maximising the number of at-risk individuals engaged in healthy lifestyle programs. The Initiative targets disadvantaged populations and those predominately not in the paid workforce. This has provided the Institute with valuable insight and contributed to the evolution of Lift for Life®.
‘Exercise is an essential part of therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes. My patients have come back reporting Lift for Life® is fun, effective, and one of the best therapies I have offered. Most of these patients have feelings of improved well-being, improved blood sugar control and weight loss. They find the environment is non-intimidating due to the small group numbers and quite cost effective. I have no hesitation to recommend Lift for Life® to any patients with type 2 diabetes.’
Dr Leon Chapman FRACP , Specialist Physician
