Op0331-Pare Exercising in Nature: A New Successful Activity in the Association

Background: Research shows that exercise is beneficial for people with RMDs. Exercise can reduce RMDs symptoms and their progression whilst providing a multitude of general health benefits (1). In recent years, there has been a great deal of interest in the health benefits to be gained while participating in outdoor physical activity carried out in natural environments(2). This is why, The Danish Rheumatism Association wanted to develop and implement a new activity, which could strengthen both the physical and mental health of people with RMDs. The new activity called Exercising in Nature, will hopefully provide a community for people with RMDs. Objectives: To develop and implement a new activity for people with RDMs to strengthen the physical and mental health among the participants in local communities. Methods: Exercising in Nature is designed in partnership with the sports association in Denmark, Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations (DGI), and the research unit PROgrez. It has been funded by Trygfonden which provides finance for philanthropic activities. In the spring of 2022, the first volunteer trainers received a free 16 hour education in Exercising in Nature developed by DGI and adjusted for adults with RMDs. The trainers learnt how the exercises could be adapted to the participants' needs and levels, so that everyone can take part - even if some participants have just finished rehabilitation or have never trained before. After the education, the trainers have been able to start groups of Exercising in Nature in their local area and decide the place, time and day of the week for the training to take place. The training has a duration of 1 hour running once a week for 12 weeks. Groups consist of 20 participants with a fee of 20 EUR for all 12 weeks. The Danish Rheumatism Association supports the trainers in finding participants and provide awareness of the new activities in our magazine and website, through local press, videos etc. Results: In a one year period starting from March 2022 to March 2023, 80 volunteer trainers have been educated in Exercising in Nature for adults with RMDs. By the end of the 2023 season, there were 52 different places in Denmark where people with RMDs could join this new activity and 1943 individuals had participated in at least one training group. In total, 2997 people have participated in training groups. The majority of participants were women (92%) aged from 28-93 years (mean 66 years) and while all suffered from RMDs, many had other diseases (75%). Conclusion: Exercising in Nature is a new successful activity in the Danish Rheumatism Association and has grown nationwide in a very short time. While providing health benefits, the participants also had the opportunity to connect with each other in the training communities. Very few men participated. Therefore, the Danish Rheumatism Association will focus on improving the activity Exercising in Nature to try to meet preferences of men in men-only training communities. REFERENCES: [1] Gwinnutt JM, Wieczorek M, Balanescu A, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2023;82:48–56. 2021. [2] Marini, S.; Mauro, M.; Grigoletto, A.; Toselli, S.; Maietta Latessa, P. The Effect of Physical Activity Interventions Carried Out in Outdoor Natural Blue and Green Spaces on Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 12482. Acknowledgements: We thank Trygfonden for financial support. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.