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A ������ expert in sport and exercise is one of the contributors to a major new national report which is recommending a National Covid-19 Resilience Programme to improve the health and wellbeing of older people. Older individuals are at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus – making the report launched during the pandemic by the vital to ensure quality care can be provided.

Academic , Reader in Sport and Exercise Physiology was a contributing member on the expert panel of this joint report; a collaboration between the and the . Through his work with , he has been continuously providing provisions for the ongoing improvement of physical activity, mental health and wellbeing for those less able during Covid-19; making him a prime candidate to be selected for the panel of this report.

Following the lockdown imposed on 23 March 2020, Dr Faulkner was part of the team of researchers led by the ������, that on the population's physical activity levels and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Faulkner said: “Our Covid-19 research has shown that different population groups are affected by the restrictions that lockdowns impose in different ways. We have seen that reductions in physical activity participation due to lockdown is negatively associated with changes to mental health during this challenging time, with older adults potentially particularly vulnerable to this.”

This study allowed researchers to be better prepared to advise how best to support people in achieving and maintaining optimal health and wellbeing should we encounter future lockdowns. The study has also has helped to shape the content and recommendations of the Government report for the proposed .

The National Covid-19 Resilience Programme includes the following recommended actions to improve the health and wellbeing of older people during the pandemic:

• Encourage appropriate exercise – with tailored exercise programmes and intervention to support increased activity levels
• Support optimised nutrition – through clear guidance about the importance of a healthy balanced diet
• Enhance mental health and wellbeing - using communities, both virtual and physical, to counter loneliness and isolation
• Embed behaviour change – enlist the help of relatives, care workers and other professionals to reinforce the messages above around resilience, when interacting with older people.

The report sets out the hope that the Resilience Programme will be supported by a digital platform and national broadcasters, through regular televised activity classes.

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