Report Walk Australia Program - November 2003
Commenced in May 2003 through NMPCP funding support
Currently have 255 registered walkers across Mallee Track
Represents 12% of region population

Executive Summary

100 Participants Questionnaires
54 Respondents 54% Response Rate

15% of respondents were male
85% of respondents were female

Age Range

20-30 6%
30-40 15%
40-50 22%
50-60 22%
60+ 33%

The majority of the respondents found:

• that they have benefited from walking
• and there has been a change in their fitness levels, eating habits, general health, socialising, sleep patterns, weight and lower stress

They felt that the age and group categories worked for them and that walking was an appropriate exercise for their level of fitness

78% of the respondents were already walking before joining the program in May, however during the program the amount of walking increased.

The respondent's main reasons for registering with the Programs were to improve their general health and to increase their fitness levels. They found that the best parts of the Program were in the exercise and the impact of it on their health.

The majority of the respondents found that the idea of walking to towns around Australia was an interesting concept.

So overall the Walk Australia Program was successful as it achieved outcomes for a number of those involved.

Before the Program commenced in May, 78% of the respondents were already walking

Of that 78%:

• 57% of the respondents were not walking or walking up to 19 kilometres a week
• 22% of the respondents were walking up to 39 kilometres a week
• 6% of the respondents were walking up to or over 40 kilometres a week

Since commencing the Program the Respondents are now:

• walking up to 19 kilometres a week 31%
• walking up to 39 kilometres a week 43%
• walking up to or over 40 kilometres a week 11%

4% of the respondents have been with the program for 1 month
6% of the respondents have been with the program for 2 months
74% of the respondents have been with the program for 3 months

Respondent's main reasons for registering with the Program:

Increase fitness levels 80%
Improve general health 93%
A good reason to walk 52%
To get them exercising 48%
A form of alternative exercise 33%
For the enjoyment / company 28%
To win prizes 22%
To win the cash 15%

31% of the respondents found the Walk Program Kit Excellent
41% of the respondents found the Walk Program Kit Very Good
22% of the respondents found the Walk Program Kit Good
4% of the respondents found the Walk Program Kit Fair

30% of the respondents found the Tracking of Kilometres Excellent
35% of the respondents found the Tracking of Kilometres Very Good
15% of the respondents found the Tracking of Kilometres Good
2% of the respondents found the Tracking of Kilometres Fair

37% of the respondents found the Fun and Incentives offered were Excellent
31% of the respondents found the Fun and Incentives offered were Very Good
22% of the respondents found the Fun and Incentives offered were Good
6% of the respondents found the Fun and Incentives offered were Fair

48% of the respondents found the Walk Newsletter Excellent
26% of the respondents found the Walk Newsletter Very Good
17% of the respondents found the Walk Newsletter Good
2% of the respondents found the Walk Newsletter Fair

98% of the respondents felt that they have benefited from the walking
93% of the respondents felt that walking is appropriate to their level of fitness

89% of the respondents found the variety of walking to towns of Australia interesting

2% of the respondents did not find it interesting

Comments
Taking too long to get anywhere
Only if the dates are kept to reach a destination, not changed to allow more groups to enter
OK, but would be useful to know where to head for towns earlier so groups could plan for that
The competition is not being run to the expected guidelines as destination dates are moved to benefit some, when others are making an effort and being penalised

87% of the respondents found that the age and group categories worked for them

39% of the respondents would attend other exercise groups

11% would attend Tai Chi
4% would attend belly dancing
26% would attend exercise classes

Since commencing the program, respondents have noticed a change in:

Fitness 94%
Eating Habits 43%
General Health 83%
Socialising 43%
Lower Stress 52%
Sleep Patterns 37%
Weight 44%

Respondents found the best part of the program were:

Exercise 87%
Impact on health 64%
Weight 26%
Socialising 22%
Prizes as incentives 22%
The fun of competition 19%
Lower Stress 13%
Networking 2%

43% of the respondents had attended a Health Screening
59% of the respondents will attend a Health Screening

9% of the respondents had noticed a change in their level of Cholesterol
54% of the respondents had not noticed a change in their level of Cholesterol

4% of the respondents had noticed a change in their level of Blood Sugar
56% of the respondents had not noticed a change in their level of Blood Sugar

9% of the respondents had noticed a change in their level of Blood Pressure
19% of the respondents had not noticed a change in their level of Blood Pressure

7% of the respondents had seen their GP as a result of the Program
87% of the respondents had not seen their GP as a result of the Program

7% of the respondents indicated that their GP was happy with their improved level of health

39% of the respondents are on medication or have a medical condition
4% of the respondents indicated that their medical condition does not allow them to exercise