Background: Marcus Smedly, a participant at Greenbank Sports Academy, experienced three strokes last year. Dissatisfied with the conventional physiotherapy offered at the hospital, Marcus sought a more creative and comprehensive approach to his rehabilitation. He requested an introduction to Greenbank Gym, having heard about its extensive facilities.
Involvement with Greenbank Sports Academy: Marcus found it very easy to get involved with Greenbank Sports Academy. He described the process as “very accessible and very friendly.” Upon contacting Greenbank, Marcus was pleased to discover a facility with the right attitude and resources to support his rehabilitation journey.
Initial Impressions: Marcus felt it was a positive move when he first contacted Greenbank. He believed the academy would enable him to progress in various disciplines at different times.
Activities Participated In: Marcus has engaged in several activities at Greenbank, including using various gym equipment, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) cycling, and inclusive cycling.
Impact on Marcus: Attending Greenbank Sports Academy has significantly improved Marcus’s stamina. He appreciates having a local facility that caters to individuals in rehabilitation and offers a variety of activities. Marcus stated, “It has been good to know that there is a local facility that can cater for people like me who are in rehab and like to try different things.”
Experience with FES Cycling: Marcus was intrigued by the FES cycle when staff introduced it to him, hoping it would enhance his fitness and leg ability. He found the FES cycle easy to use, although he experienced varying levels of fatigue on different days. While Marcus is still uncertain about the full benefits of the FES cycle, he acknowledges that his stamina has improved since using it.
This case study highlights Marcus’s positive experience and the significant impact of Greenbank Sports Academy on his rehabilitation journey.
Greenbank have been working in partnership with a number of organisations on an Access to Exercise and Wellbeing programme for people with neurological conditions (The Neurotherapy Centre, The Brain Charity, Brio Leisure and The Walton Centre) to develop and support rehabilitation pathways and experiences. The project reports identifies five themes from participants engagement in the evaluation report:
1. Exercise as a Tool for Managing Chronic Conditions
2. Challenges and Limitations of Physical Therapy
3. Value of Supportive Rehabilitation Environments
4. Emotional and Psychological Benefits of Exercise
5. Frustrations with Limited Therapy Options
“It has been good to know that there is a local facility that can cater for people like me who are in rehab and like to try different things.”
