Group
Classes
At Neurological Rehabilitation Group we value keeping our patients and community engaged in exercise. We run multiple groups across our three practices which are designed to keep our community moving and interactive. We run general fitness classes, as well as specific classes for particular conditions. Beyond physical improvements, group exercise also offers significant emotional health and social benefits. Group therapy is a valuable tool in improving and maintaining fitness within a supportive community. This can foster a sense of belonging and connection with others who understand the challenges of living with a neurological condition. Group therapy can also assist to supplement your 1:1 therapy program in line with your goals within a supportive environment.
I am interested in attending, how do I start?
An initial assessment is required by a physiotherapist to take a detailed history, specific objective measures, review your physical capabilities and prescribe an exercise regimen to be completed in the class in line with your goals. To ensure you are getting the most out of group attendance, we recommend periodic reviews throughout the year of your function so that we can monitor your progress and ensure you are getting the most from your sessions.
At Neurological Rehabilitation Group, our groups are popular. Bookings can be made week to week or to ensure you don't miss out on your preferred day and time, regular spots can be reserved. We kindly ask that if you are unable to make it, you provide us with a minimum of 24 hours notice to ensure someone else can take advantage of the space.
Please contact our reception team about class timetables and how to become involved.
Neurological Rehabilitation Group Classes
BALANCE GROUP
Balance group offers a supervised setting to participate in challenging static and dynamic balance exercises in a safe environment. Balance is one of the most important underlying functions that gives us the confidence to move freely, without fear of falling. Balance is affected by our age and commonly affected by various neurological conditions, vestibular disorders, poor vision and reduced sensation.
Research has shown that balance exercises can significantly improve people’s self-efficacy in balance control, reduce risk of falls, reduced fear of falling, increased walking speed and improved physical function.
What is the NRG balance exercise group?
We offer 3 varying levels of balance groups run by Physiotherapists and allied health assistant when needed. Each balance group is run for 50 minutes and is open to patients of all ages. Before enrolling, you will be thoroughly assessed by a physiotherapist to evaluate your level of balance and suitability for the group. Your physiotherapist will recommend which group will be most appropriate to ensure the exercises will be safe and suited to your ability.
What will I be doing in the group?
Balance class begins with a warmup followed by a circuit of various balance exercises. These exercises are designed to challenge the 3 systems in balance function – vision, vestibular and sensory input. The exercises mimic real life movements and functions that we perform in everyday life. The final part of the group is a fun group activity and ends with a cool down.
PARKINSON’S DISEASE & MOVEMENT DISORDERS
At NRG, we are extremely passionate about the role of exercise in Parkinson’s disease, and helping an individual and their family best manage and control this condition. Exercise is currently the only treatment modality that has been shown to reduce the progression of the disease, and a Parkinson’s-specific exercise group is a great way of ensuring that the exercise is targeted towards the common impairments of this condition, including tremor, slowness of movement, reduced hand dexterity, and balance. There has been a large amount of research done in this population, and we make sure our exercise groups are following clinical practice guidelines, which currently support high intensity, high effort activities that target specific impairments. The added benefit of group exercise in this population is social interaction, maintaining communication skills, comradery and feeling safe and supported to try different exercises to what you would do otherwise.
What is the NRG Parkinson’s exercise group?
At NRG, we run regular 50-minute Parkinson’s-specific exercise group classes which are open to patients of all ages with any type of Parkinson’s disease/Parkinsonism. We have different levels of the group to ensure that the exercises are appropriately suited to your ability, and they are run by a Parkinson’s trained physiotherapist and an allied health assistant, where needed. Family members or carers are also welcome to attend, in the lower level groups family/carer attendance is at times a requirement.
What will I be doing in the group?
Each session is different, but in general the group is first taken through a warmup before completing a combination of group activities and circuit-based training. Exercises incorporate the following principles; high effort, high amplitude and strong and purposeful movements, dual-tasking, balance, functional strength training and cardiovascular exercise. The exercises are varied based on an individual’s ability and goals.
FITNESS GROUP
The group fitness class is a general group that caters for a range of conditions. These classes are a great way to exercise in a social setting whilst still working to achieve your individual goals. Each participant has an individualised program, that they work through independently and in their own time, in a group setting. Each participant will have a review on a 3-4 monthly basis to progress and develop their program. The fitness groups are run at all three sites (Mount Waverley/Ivanhoe/St Kilda).
What will I be doing in the group?
Prior to starting the group class, you have a 1:1 appointment with the group therapist to create your group program and develop your goals for the group. In the 50min group you will complete your individualised program; overseen by an exercise physiologist. This may include exercises for balance, cardiovascular fitness/endurance, strength, agility etc. Family/support workers are welcome to attend to assist you in the group.
RUNNING GROUP
High level mobility encapsulates activities that are above independent standing and walking. They may consist of running, jumping, hopping, bounding, backwards walking and the ability to navigate stairs. These skills may facilitate participation in sporting activities, work, community life that individuals were previously engaging in but are now not because of their neurological condition. Evidence suggests greater capacity to mobilise is associated with higher participation rates and improved quality of life. Therefore, the skills required for high level mobility such as running, and agility are worthy of targeted treatment. NRG’s running group will be appropriate for neurological clients who can walk and transfer independently and have goals surrounding:
Return to social sport
Return to running
Be able to run short distances to catch public transport or cross roads
Running and playing with children
What is the NRG Running Group?
Our running group operates at Mt Waverley on a Thursday at 9am and at our Ivanhoe practice (time/day TBC). They are led by physiotherapists who have completed training in the high-level mobility course. The group runs for 50 minutes. Family members or carers are also welcome to attend.
What will I be doing in the group?
Just like gait re-training for walking, there is rehabilitation targeted for the return to running. Each client has their own individualised program targeted to their specific goals and impairments. The running group incorporates improving the power (strength in addition to the speed component) in muscles required for forward propulsion in walking and running. This style of rehabilitation is known as ballistic resistance exercise. Evidence shows it is safe for the neurological client. It is performed on specialist equipment such as the total gym and mini-trampette. Additionally, clients engage in overground running drills to improve their coordination and agility, essential to running. Machines like the cross trainer and stepper are also utilised for high intensity cardiovascular fitness and strengthening the muscle groups needed for the explosive power component in running.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS GROUP
As Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive neurological condition affecting the central nervous system, there is a large variety of symptoms and presentations experienced by individuals. There is strong evidence in support of exercise and physical activity for the management of MS. This group is based on the current research that exercise training can improve cardiovascular fitness, balance, MS related fatigue, strength and core stability, cognition and spasticity management, in addition to providing neuroprotection at a brain level.
What is the NRG MS group?
The MS group is a 50 minute high intensity interval training exercise class that runs at both our Mount Waverley clinic and our Ivanhoe clinic. These exercise classes are currently open to any client with multiple sclerosis who is able to transfer and mobilise independently. The groups are run by either a physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist. Family and support workers are welcome to attend.
What will I be doing in the group?
A physiotherapist or exercise physiologist takes the group through a warm up before each individual starts on one of the nine different high intensity activity stations where timed intervals of exercise are completed. Stations focus on upper/lower limb strength training, balance retraining, aerobic exercise, stretches and core work. Active rests are completed throughout class to optimise fatigue management. Following the activity stations, a cool down is completed together as a group. As heat sensitivity can be a common symptom in MS, prior to beginning class individuals are encouraged to engage in pre-cooling .
PILATES GROUP
At NRG we run both a face to face Pilates class and a telehealth Pilates class, enabling access for patients of varying levels. Our Pilates classes focus on improving core stability, lower limb strength and control, and global upper body strength. These classes can assist individuals with their physiotherapy or exercise physiology input and promote greater benefits in their overall gait and functional mobility patterns.
The in-person Pilates class is led by an exercise physiologist, which runs for 50 minutes. Individuals will complete a range of exercises to improve their strength and mobility with low-impact exercises.
The telehealth Pilates class runs for 45 minutes and is also led by an exercise physiologist. This is accessed through a zoom link, ensuring access to more individuals.
What will I be doing in the group?
Both Pilates classes begin with a short warm-up seated on a chair. From here, individuals will transfer onto the floor to complete exercises in a four point kneeling position, on their backs and in a side lying position. Assistance and modifications can be made for those that need it during the face to face Pilates class, while those online can complete this on an alternative surface such as a bed if they cannot transfer onto the floor independently. A seated cool down is then completed to finish the class. Those completing the telehealth class from home will need access to a resistance band, a set of dumbbells, a towel and a Pilates/yoga mat.
ATAXIA GROUP
Group exercise offers numerous advantages for individuals living with ataxia, a neurological condition characterized by impaired coordination and balance. While research is ongoing and often limited in this population, studies have shown that exercises for coordination, core stability, balance and vestibular, aerobic and strength training may offer some benefit to reduce symptom severity. Some studies have indicated this may improve gait, balance, function and maintain participation in those with ataxia.
What is the NRG ataxia exercise group?
At NRG, we run regular 50-minute ataxia specific exercise group classes This is open to patients of all ages with any type of cerebellar condition. This group is run by an ataxia trained physiotherapist and an allied health assistant, where needed. Family members or carers are also welcome to attend.
What will I be doing in the group?
The group is taken through a warmup before splitting into different activity stations focusing on strength training and functional mobility, balance retraining, cardiovascular exercise, vestibular exercise and the option to include gait, treadmill or upper limb retraining depending on your specific goals.
