Effects Of First Step To Active Health® Program In Older Adults: Class-based Vs. Home-based Exercise

Abstract

The First Step to Active Health® (FSAH), which was recently translated into Japanese, is an evidence-based exercise program designed for implementation in either home-based or group-based settings. The program includes 4 key components of physical activity (cardio, strength, flexibility, and balance activities) as well as behavioral modification strategies. While program's effectiveness has been shown in several group-based studies of older adults, its efficacy as a home-based intervention has not been evaluated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of well-rounded exercise using the Japanese FSAH program on functional fitness between class-based exercise and individual home-based exercise in older adults. METHODS: Twenty-eight older adults volunteered for this study. They were randomly assigned to either a class-based exercise (CBE) group that participated in classes at a senior center or an individual home-based exercise (HBE) group. Each group completed the program over 12 weeks. The CBE group attended 2 group exercise classes per week for 90 minutes per session, while the HBE group performed the program unsupervised at home for 12 weeks for as many days as possible. RESULTS: At baseline, the two groups were not different, except the HBE group had significantly less BMI and body weight. After 12 weeks, significant improvements were noted in: Chair Stand 12% (CBE), 19% (HBE); Arm Curl 11% (CBE), 19% (HBE); Up-&-Go 8% (HBE); Timed Walk 6% (CBE), 8% (HBE); and Sit-&-Reach 6% (HBE). Static balance tended to improve (CBE) although not significantly. There were no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the FSAH Program is effective in both supervised and unsupervised settings and results in improvements in many components of functional fitness over a 12 week period. Supported by the Grants-in-for Scientific Research of MEXT Japan.