Good Boost

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) are working together with the leisure trusts and National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) teams that make up the ABUHB catchment area. We are working together in partnership to provide additional exercise and rehabilitation options.

Good Boost is a program designed to help and encourage people to get back to exercise after injury or prepare and recover from orthopaedic surgery such as hip and knee replacements. Good Boost supports people to be active and exercise in both water and on land. Good Boost is designed to help people with bone, muscle, or joint concerns. Bone, muscle, and Joint concerns are often group together and called ‘musculoskeletal’ concerns.

Developed by musculoskeletal specialists and powered by artificial intelligence, Good Boost is delivered on individual tablet computers to allow people to progress in their exercises at their own pace. This supports self-management of musculoskeletal conditions. Good Boost is supported by musculoskeletal charities such as Arthritis Action and Versus Arthritis. Good Boost is a tailor made, bespoke exercise program. Individual sessions can be programmed to an intensity and duration of a person’s choosing. The activities or exercises are explained on the tablet computers in 2 ways – step by step instruction alongside a video.

Good Boost Aqua Move is a proactive way at getting and keeping your joints moving in a low impact high reward way. Good Boost Aqua Move is suitable for anyone who feels they would benefit from using a water-based program and are confident in being in the water. Sessions are led using a water-proof tablet to direct patients through their exercise treatment program.

Good Boost land sessions can be completed either on the main gym floor or in the privacy of a studio if available. Sessions usually last between 10-30 minutes and can be adapted to suit your required intensity. The Good Boost land app creates personalised exercise sessions. These sessions can be tailer made to each person and use either using bodyweight exercises or equipment found in the leisure centre e.g. dumbbells and resistance bands.

Exercise has many positive effects and may help to:

Increase your cardio-vascular fitness
Increase your joint range of movement and muscle flexibility
Increase muscle strength
Reduce your pain levels
Improve your balance and co-ordination
Improve your mood and mental health

Exercising in water can:

Off-load your painful joints, making it easier to move
Help post-surgery before weight bearing land-based exercises are prescribed

Depending on which leisure centre you want to attend, you can book into a group session, with people exercising to a level to meet their own needs or you can attend individually and work by yourself, following the instructions on the computer. Good Boost co-ordinators or leisure centre staff will be able to support and help you get started and progress at your own pace.

If you are interested in finding out more about how Good Boost could help you, please contact our co-ordinators:

Sam Jermon / Gavin Ellis – ABB.TherapiesMSKHub@wales.nhs.uk

Or telephone on 0300 3732539

Access the Good Boost Programme