"Going the distance" was the goal for a group of Dunedin exercise buffs who wanted a challenge outside their usual gym-time get-together when they met for a special event to mark World Physiotherapy Day on Thursday.
Participants involved in a weekly "Movement for Life" programme challenged themselves to complete the 150km equivalent distance of the Central Otago Rail Trail - using rowing, cycling, and treadmill machines at Unipol Gym.
Event organiser physiotherapy professional practice fellow Chris Higgs said the 31 group members had travelled many more kilometres than the Rail Trail route.
"Together they clocked up nearly 250km between them in just two hours on the exercise equipment," he said.
Regular members of the community exercise group were joined by supporters of Pacific Trust Otago to mark the health industry day, Mr Higgs said.
The Movement for Life programme is run by University of Otago physiotherapy students, with the community exercise group made up of people with long-term health conditions, a university Division of Health Services spokeswoman said.
Movement for Life members are affected by conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and obesity, and were referred by their GPs to attend the regular gym sessions as one way of managing their health, the spokeswoman said.
The event aimed to promote the important benefits of exercise in managing long-term health conditions. Physiotherapists play a key role alongside other healthcare professionals and were experts in prescribing exercise as part of a structured, safe, and effective programme, Mr Higgs said.
