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9 Jul 2019 |
The Sir Robert Ho Tung Charitable Fund donates interactive weight-bearing exercise platform to FPAHK for enhancing menopausal women’s bone health
The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) has been allocated a funding of HK$31,200 in 2018 from The Sir Robert Ho Tung Charitable Fund (the Fund) as a donation for purchasing an interactive weight-bearing exercise platform to be installed in the FPAHK’s Tseung Kwan O Women’s Club to reduce osteoporosis risk and prevent falls among those women in need through engaging them in regular vibration exercise.
The risks of osteoporosis and the resultant fractures (fragility fractures) increase with age, particularly among menopausal and post-menopausal women. To enhance this at-risk group’s bone health, the FPAHK launched a pilot programme in collaboration with the Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 2009 to install the first interactive weight-bearing exercise platform in the FPAHK’s Ma On Shan Women’s Club.
Scientific evidence shows that “vibration therapy”, i.e., mechanical stimulation of the human body with low-magnitude and high-frequency whole-body vibration (LMHFV) reduces risks of falls and bone fractures among those post-menopausal women and osteoporotic elderly who lack regular exercise. Some studies suggest it may also increase bone strength and density.
The programme has been well received. Last year, the second interactive weight-bearing exercise platform was installed in the FPAHK’s Sheung Shui Women’s Club. The total attendance at the two Women’s Clubs has exceeded 15,000. With the interactive weight-bearing exercise platform in Tseng Kwan O Women’s Club now in service, this programme is currently available in three of the FPAHK’s Women’s Clubs. Target service groups are individuals who have recovered from bone fractures or at higher risks of osteoporosis and falls, and menopausal and post-menopausal women. Participants perform vibration exercise three times per week.
The FPAHK expresses its gratitude for the Fund’s generous donation in support of its work in providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to the public over the years. This has enabled FPAHK’s continuous expansion of service scope and enhancement of service quality and thus promoting the sexual and reproductive health of Hong Kong citizens.
For details on the various services of the FPAHK’s Women’s Clubs, please visit the official website: www.famplan.org.hk/womenclub/en (some contents available in Chinese language only).
New interactive weight-bearing exercise platform in Tseung Kwan O Women’s Club now in service A participant is performing vibration exercise on the platform
The FPAHK, a non-profit organization, advocates, promotes and provides information, education, medical and counseling services in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Responsible Parenthood for the community.