News

Research documents impact on chronic conditions including neurological, vascular and MSK
Three quarter of older adults visit centres three or more times a week
Operators serving older adults have NPS score almost double that of UK leisure sector

A groundbreaking report shows the impact of power-assisted exercise on the physical and mental wellbeing of older adults and the benefits of engaging with this member demographic. The release of the End User Impact Report 2023 documents the profound effect of power-assisted exercise on the management of long-term health conditions among users, many of whom have previously felt excluded from mainstream health and fitness facilities due to their age, health or lack of confidence.

The headline results demonstrate how the Innerva wellbeing solution helps improves the five elements of healthy ageing – aerobic fitness, muscular strength, balance, flexibility and social wellbeing – to reduce the risk of falls and fractures, enhance coordination, maintain muscle mass and boost mood and overall wellbeing:

• 94% of users reported improved aerobic fitness
• 88% felt stronger when getting up from a seated position, with 87% experiencing increased strength for lifting heavier items or carrying shopping
• 80% reported improved balance, critical for falls prevention
• 93% noticed enhanced flexibility, important for everyday days and mobility
• 96.5% reported a positive impact on mental health

Building on the findings of its previous report in 2020, the new research was conducted with six Innerva operators across the UK and generated a total of 853 end user responses (80% female and 20% male).

With 94% of users aged over 50 years old and 75% over the age of 60, it shows how operators are successfully using Innerva’s power-assisted wellness solution to engage older adults and forge links with health partners to service the UK’s growing ageing population.

“The Innerva Wellbeing Suite has been a fantastic addition to our facility in Brandon. Not only has it added a new offer to our community, but it has also added a different dimension to our work with community health teams and other partners within the NHS,” says Warren Smyth, CEO, Abbeycroft Leisure.

The report highlights the loyalty of older adults and their high levels of engagement. For example, almost half of individuals (44%) visit Innerva-equipped studios three or more times a week, while over three quarters (77%) use the equipment two or more times in a week.

Notable highlights include the impressive Net Promoter Scores (NPS) achieved by Innerva operators. Net Promoter Score is the world’s leading metric for measuring customer loyalty. All Innerva operators scored +70 or above, with Pendle Leisure Centre recording the highest NPS score of +87. The average score across Innerva operators is +78, which is considerably higher the latest NPS score for the UK leisure sector of is 44 (Source: Active Insights 2023). It also compares favourably to the top 25% of performing organisations which have an NPS of +72 or higher^* – Apple’s NPS score is +72 and Amazon’s is +25.

Jon Hymus, Managing Director of Innerva, says: “Our latest research shows the life-changing impact of power-assisted exercise on older adults and those with chronic conditions. It also demonstrates the value of meeting the needs of these loyal customers - with Innerva operators achieving an average NPS score that is almost double that of the UK leisure sector. As society grapples with an ageing population and people living for longer in ill-health, we hope this report serves as a call to action and encourages more operators to create inclusive environments where everyone can take part in exercise to age well.”

To download The Innerva End User Impact report visit Innerva’s website.

^*Survey Monkey

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

End User Webinar - Tuesday 17 October at 1pm

Innerva is hosting an online panel discussion with two operators who took part in the research as well as a leading academic in stroke recovery and a leisure industry expert from Active Insight.  The panel will discuss the report’s main findings around the Five Elements of Healthy Ageing and impact on the management of long-term health conditions. It will also look at what the sector is doing to attract non-exercisers and how it can move forward to pivot effectively so that health partners and the NHS take the sector seriously as a solution to preventative health (and their ongoing crisis).

Join Ian Shorley-Harlow (Health Improvement Co-Ordinator from Lincs Inspire), Liz Murray (Partnerships Manager at Valley Leisure), Dr Andrew Kerr (Senior lecturer in Biomedical Engineering at Strathclyde University) and Julie Allen (Business Development Director, Active insights) for an insightful discussion around the report’s findings and what the leisure industry coins ‘the pivot to active wellbeing’.

Join the webinar by signing up here. 

Please note the webinar is being held on Microsoft Teams.