SOUTHAMPTON Institute is promoting the health benefits of physical activity to people in the local community with a range of medical conditions including Parkinson's disease, osteoarthritis and lower back pain.

Level 2 BA (Hons) Health and Fitness Management students, along with level 3 BA (Hons) Sports Studies with Business students, have designed 12-week exercise programmes based on their individual client specific needs.

Clients attend once a week on Thursday or Friday at the institute's teaching gym laboratory. Each student works with an individual client and following a pre-assessment screening, a safe and effective appropriate physiological exercise programme is developed.

Continual assessment and monitoring of the programme aims to ensure that the specific and individual needs of each client are met.

This initiative aims to benefit both the client and the student. Students gain a great deal of knowledge, confidence and practical experience from working with clients rather than from case studies and simulated situations.

In turn, clients have a personalised programme devised through which they are coached and have their progress monitored.

Glynis Young, unit leader and senior lecturer on the BA (Hons) Health and Fitness Management course, said: "It is a valuable learning opportunity for the students in a number of ways.

"It has helped to increase students' knowledge and experience, breaks down barriers and furthers an inclusive philosophy, which is very much a goal of the institute.

"When we approached local branches of national organisations such as BackCare and Parkinson's Disease last summer, with a view to their members volunteering to work with us, we were delighted at the positive and enthusiastic response we had.

"Our students really appreciate the help they are gaining through working with our clients and our clients have enjoyed working with our students. There is a very good rapport between clients and students and a great atmosphere in the gym. It's a win-win situation."