Calgary West Central Primary Care Network

Supervised exercise program

Feb 7, 2022

Supervised exercise program

Feb 7, 2022

The Alberta Healthy Living Program (AHLP) offers several free services — including their supervised exercise program — to adults living in the community who are at risk of or live with a chronic health condition.

The supervised exercise program team helps patients:

  • Better understand the benefit of exercise on managing their condition or conditions
  • Begin or modify an exercise program based on their symptoms and abilities
  • Develop strategies to overcome barriers to being physically active

It includes educational sessions, exercise in a supervised group setting, and the development of an action plan for patients to continue exercising at home or in the community.

Results of a study of 2,700 individuals who completed the exercise program between 2011 and 2013 found participants visited an ER 40 per cent less one year after beginning the program.

Patients must have at least one chronic condition to be eligible for the exercise program.

Currently, AHLP offers their services via Zoom or phone, with in-person programming scheduled to resume in spring 2022.

Eligibility

  • Must be 18-plus years of age with at least one chronic condition
  • Basic comprehension of English and willingness to commit the time
  • Cognitively capable of participating in a group setting
  • Able to walk about 10 metres (criteria for virtual exercise program; the in-person program has a 50-metre requirement)
  • Must be attached to a family physician or a nurse practitioner

Referral Process

  • Eligible patients can self refer to the exercise program, or get more information, by calling 403.943.2584.
  • Physicians and healthcare providers can refer patients to the program by completing the referral form and faxing it to 403.955.686.

Wait Time

Patients can expect to wait approximately seven – 10 days to see an exercise clinician to start the exercise program.