Evaluation of the Grenada Sports for Health Program

Abstract

Satesh Bidaisee and Calum Macpherson

Objective: The study served to measure basic health outcome measures to help guide the continued implementation of the community exercise component of the Grenada Sports for Health program.

Design & Methods: The study population consisted of Grenadian citizens enrolled in three different community exercise programs as part of the Royal Grenada Police Force, Point Saline and La Sagesse, Grenville, Gouyave and Tanteen community exercise program. Initial data collection for this prospective cohort study began during March of 2011 and continued data collection through quarterly assessments was continued to June/July 2014 and June/July 2016. The health indicators for the Sports for Health program were designed to monitor and analyse program participants’ physical health indicators, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist to Hip ratio over time to determine if their participation in the community training program was promoting health benefits by reducing risk factors for non-communicable chronic diseases.

Results: During the baseline evaluation period in March, 2011, complete data sets were obtained for 427 participants. During the evaluation period of March 2014, 337 complete data sets were collected from participants from 2011 and during June/July 2016 evaluation, 264 complete data sets were obtained. The BMI, Waist, hip, and waist: hip ratio is presented in Table 1. BMI and Waist: Hip ratio using a Student’s T-test (α=0.05) demonstrated a significant difference between 2011 and 2016 measures.

Conclusion: Participants have demonstrated a significant and positive difference in physical health indicators over three years of participation in the Sports for Health program.

PDF