Press release

ToneZone, President McAleese

IF MORE THAN 58 million elderly people regularly engage in sports and fitness exercises in China, they must know the secret to getting a nation’s elderly on the move. In recent years, a national fitness project in China has seen the inception of public sports and fitness grounds and facilities, especially targeted to provide space for elderly people to do physical exercises. The move is part of a government plan for the prevention and treatment of heart, brain and blood diseases as well as diabetes and other chronic diseases. Since 2001, more than 30,000 new sports grounds have been built throughout the country, and they are attracting more and more senior participants. But what entices older people to use the sports grounds?

During a state visit to China, President Mary McAleese was intrigued to see adults of all ages exercising in parks, on what resembled playground equipment. The key to getting older people exercising, it seems, is play. On returning to Ireland, McAleese discussed the initiative with Mary Nally of Third Age Centre, Summerhill, Co. Meath. The result of their meeting is Tone Zone, an outdoor fitness gym designed specifically for adults. The gym equipment can be located in playgrounds, public parks, outside residential developments, in nursing homes or on street corners. Its aim is to encourage passersby to spend a few minutes limbering up as they go about their daily business. Organised groups can also use the machines to carry out more intensive, organised exercise programmes.

Tone Zone is situated in Dunshauglin Park in Meath, near an existing skateboard path and a children’s playground. It comprises nine pieces of exercise equipment, some of which can accommodate up to four adults at one time.

The robust, colourful machines are relatively maintenance-free and will withstand tough weather conditions. Users can improve joint mobility and aerobic exercise on an air walker, parallel bars, a pressleg, a rocking horse, self-weighted leg press, a sit-up board and sitting or standing rotators. Each unit features instructions for its proper usage. According to Meath County Manager Tom Dowling, there are around 100,000 Tone Zone sites in China - their country of origin - and some in North America. The Tone Zone equipment comes from China and is constructed to the same safety standards required of children’s playground equipment. The Tone Zone equipment costs around €5,000 and the ground works cost between €50,000-€60,000.

‘‘Projects like this help to make exercise a part of daily life, without the need to become involved in organised sport and at no cost to the individual,” says Dowling. With two more Tone Zones now planned for Co Kildare and Wicklow, Dowling says, ‘‘We hope that our lead will encourage the further provision of such facilities throughout Ireland.”

What it is: Tone Zone – Ireland’s first outdoor adult ‘playground’.

Located: Dunshaughlin Park, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath.

What they say: President Mary McAleese: ‘‘Tone Zone is a public facility provided for the whole community regardless of social or economic class.”

Mary Harkin of Go For Life, Age & Opportunity: “[It] has the benefit of reducing levels of isolation that can be prevalent among older people. Older people can exercise alongside children and younger people.”

Cost: free

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