2021 Award Laureates
Recognizing innovation and impact
In 2021, the Fit for Life Foundation Awards recognized three organisations for their innovative and impactful approach to improve the health and fitness of older people.
Good Boost (UK)
Personalized exercise powered by AI
Targeting musculoskeletal health
Good Boost is a social enterprise founded in 2018 that specialises in combining clinical knowledge with technology to create affordable and easy to use water-based exercise programs. These exercises promote musculoskeletal (MSK) health amongst people over the age of 40 or living with disabilities, by helping them treat, manage, and prevent diseases such as arthritis and back pain.
Using AI to tailor exercises to participants’ needs
In partnership with health institutions, health charities and leisure providers in the UK, Good Boost has developed an app that uses artificial intelligence to evaluate users’ specific needs and to tailor a training routine adapted to their ability, confidence, and physical condition.
Group setting for support and motivation
Using special waterproof tablets, participants follow a personalised set of exercises in a group session with a trainer. The peer support and interaction provided by the group setting is beneficial to participants’ mental and emotional health and increases their motivation to exercise.
Water- and land-based programs
In 2020, Good Boost responded to the closure of public swimming pools due to the Covid-19 pandemic by adapting their “Aqua” program to a land-based platform which participants can follow online at home. This is being further developed to deliver virtual group classes, in partnership with arthritis charities in the UK.
Key figures
Two-thirds of participants have reported going from physically inactive to active after using the Good Boost exercise plan.
64% of participants report a pain reduction of 56% after following the program at 0-24weeks.
56 % of the participants continue to attend the program beyond 24 weeks.
“The water is so incredibly beneficial. It’s a kind of therapy support for the return to recovery.”
“By doing the exercises, I can get a good night’s sleep and at the same time reduce the amount of drugs. It’s a winner all the way around.”
Pulse Sync (Singapore)
Strength training for independence in old age
A technology-driven approach to fitness in old age
PulseSync is a social enterprise that aspires to transform aged care by combining IT and healthcare services. Founded in 2007, PulseSync is headquartered in Singapore, with a wholly owned subsidiary in Malaysia. The enterprise provides aged care providers such as nursing homes, day rehabilitation centres, senior care centres, home care providers and hospices with technology that enables them to better focus on what they do best, person-centered care.
Leveraging practical disruption, innovation and technology, PulseSync’s flagship products are Gym Tonic® (strength training solution for seniors), IngoT® (cloud-based care management software), and Raisoft® (interRAI care assessment software).
Strength training for mobility and independence
Gym Tonic® is a targeted strength-training program that aims to combat frailty and sarcopenia in people over the age of 60. It provides organizations with senior-friendly gym equipment, strength assessments and measuring tools to encourage elders to improve their strength, muscle mass and balance in a safe and fun environment. Participants who complete the strength training program are offered maintenance sessions to ensure they don’t lose positive benefits.
Proven impact on reversing frailty
The program has been externally evaluated as effective in reducing frailty and falls, which are directly related to a lack of muscle mass. This in turn makes it possible for elders to remain independent in their daily activities.
Key figures
Gym Tonic® strength training available in 29 locations across Singapore (end of 2020)
Over 5,000 beneficiaries
Participants showed a 20-30% improvement in muscle strength on average
Participants notice significant improvement in daily activities such as walking, stair climbing, balance, or carrying grocery bags
41% of nursing home patients considered “frail” improved to “pre frail” after the program
“After gaining better stamina and muscle strength, I have more courage to do many things.”
“Having a healthy body allows you to live a relaxed life.”
Siel Bleu (France)
A pioneer of adapted physical activity
Exercise for all, regardless of ability
Siel Bleu is a social enterprise, founded in 1997, that offers Adapted Physical Activity (APA) courses to frail and vulnerable people across France, Belgium, Ireland and Spain. By creating a fun and social environment, the classes encourage the adoption of a more active lifestyle, improving participants’ physical and mental wellbeing.
Siel Bleu is committed to increasing the length and quality of life of its beneficiaries by enabling them to regain or maintain the physical fitness they need to live independently, and by improving their mental health through socialisation. The organization relies on a network of 700 sports professionals (in 2019) who visit beneficiaries in community centers, care homes, and at home to offer exercise sessions that promote an active lifestyle.
Innovation, research and public health advocacy
Siel Bleu also uses their platform to raise awareness about the risks of sedentary lifestyles amongst a younger and healthier audience by organising sessions in workplaces.
The organization’s research and innovation arm, Siel Bleu Institute, publishes research and studies that aim to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity for health and influence public health policies. Siel Bleu helped French lawmakers draft a law that allows doctors to prescribe APA courses to their patients under the national health scheme.
The social enterprise invests 10% of revenue in innovation. Among others, it has developed a range of specialized equipment for use in APA sessions.
Key figures
4 country programs: France, Ireland, Belgium, and Spain
6 new partnerships in progress in Portugal, Germany, Romania, Switzerland, India and Madagascar
The association employs the equivalent of 700 full-time staff in 4 countries and welcomes 140,000 participants weekly
Several studies have demonstrated Siel Bleu’s positive impact. For instance, women aged 75–85 reduced their risk of falling by 19% by participating in a weekly class targeting muscular reinforcement and balance over a period of 2 years.