The effect of a high intensity functional exercise program on physical performance in older adults at discharge from in-patient rehabilitation – A feasibility study

Participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention or control group. Participants in the control group will receciver usual in-patient rehabilitation therapy. The intervention group will receive usual in-patient rehabilitation physiotherapy plus participate in the HIFE exercise (progressive resistane and balance exercise) program 3x/wk for 45 minutes. The intervention period will run from the time of recruitment, until they are discharged from the inpatient rehabilition service. Please note that 'usual rehabilitation' involves daily physiotherapy treatment and exercises up to one hour per day performining activites to restore mobility and function post injury or trauma. The high intensity functional exercise (HIFE) program is a standardised program of lower-limb strength and balance exercises performed in functional weight bearing positions (sit to stand, step ups, lunges etc). The program is stratified into five categories from A (high level strength/balance) to E (unable to stand unsupported) . High intensity is achieved by performing strengthening exercises at a 10-12 repetition maximum, and balance exercises perform at the limits of postural stability individually prescribed to match a participants functional level.