Highlanders fitness programme back on much larger scale

The fan in the stand can become the man with a look that is more suited to the other side of the fence.

A Highlanders fitness programme which was piloted three years ago with some major success is back again on a much larger scale and is being whirled out to other parts of the country.

The Health Research Council has backed the new programme to the tune of $1.2 million.

The programme is targeted at males who are aged 30-65 and want to restart and improve their exercise and nutrition habits to loss weight and become fitter. Fans of teams can come together and attend one two hour session a week discussing diet and fitness.

An exercise programme developed by former Highlander Buxton Popoali'i would be used on the physical side of things to get the fans all hot and bothered.

The programme is run by the University of Otago and the University of Auckland.

University of Otago physical education lecturer Dr Elaine Hargreaves said the programme the first time around had been a real success and the council had got back in behind it again, albeit on a larger scale.

In the pilot in 2016, the intervention group had a 2.5kg change in weight compared to the control group.

There was a significant decrease in waist circumference, lower resting HR, improved diastolic blood pressure and improved fitness. Fitness in some cases had improved by more than 100%.

Hargreaves said all of the men who took part in the last study would recommend it to other men.

As a result of the programme, 92% said they were being more physically active, 78% were eating more fruit and vegetables and 57% were eating less fatty foods.

Many of the participants had continued to exercise and watch their diet after the 12 weeks had ended.

Hargreaves said the team aspect had been a huge thing.

''You are getting guys coming together, supporting and learning from each other. That is why it works. The guys see themselves as part of a team,'' she said.

They were all fans of the Highlanders which was a good bond to keep them together.

Men's fitness programmes perhaps did not have as much focus as women's programmes and so many men missed out.

After just Highlanders fans being involved last time around, the programme was being rolled out to fans of the Blues and the Warriors league team while fans of the Crusaders may come on board.

The programme in Dunedin was looking for about 80 men while nationwide about 300 men were being sought. It would be a 50-50 split between Maori and non-Maori.

Those interested should email: RuFIT@otago.ac.nz