Physical activity and physical function improved following a community-based intervention in older adults in Georgia senior centers.
J Nutr Elder
; 27(1-2): 135-54, 2008.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18928194
ABSTRACT
We evaluated a community-based physical activity intervention in Georgia senior centers. Participants were a convenience sample that completed the pre-test only (n = 592), or the pre-test, the intervention, and a post-test (n = 418, 98% aged 60 and older, mean age = 75, 83% female, 56% black). The 4-month physical activity intervention, based on the Health Belief Model, included 16 sessions that focused on educator-led chair exercises, promotion of walking, using a pedometer, and recording daily steps. Pre- and post-tests assessed physical activity and physical function, categorized as poor, moderate, or good (Short Physical Performance Battery). Following the intervention, participants improved their physical function (good physical function at pre-test vs. post-test 16.5% vs. 25.3%, P < or = 0.001), increased minutes of physical activity by 26% (P < or = 0.001) and step counts by 29% (P < or = 0.0001, sub-sample, n = 95), and decreased reports of "it's not safe" as a barrier to physical activity (P < or = 0.05). Increased physical activity (P < or = 0.01) was associated with improved physical function following the intervention. The results of this evaluation provide an evidence base for the effectiveness of this community intervention for improving physical activity and physical function in older adults.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Avaliação Geriátrica
/
Aptidão Física
/
Terapia por Exercício
/
Atividade Motora
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Nutr Elder
Ano de publicação:
2008
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos