Abstract
Falls are a major risk for community-dwelling older adults, having resulted in 1.6 million emergency room visits in 2001. Previous research has proven the effectiveness of balance, postural control, lower-body strength, and power training in improving functional fitness and preventing falls in older adults. However, Certified Fitness Professionals (CFPs) have not been utilized in past research to teach these programs. CFPs are well-trained to work with this population and have exercise leadership skills that can especially benefit older adult programs. PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of utilizing CFPs as group exercise leaders in implementing a strength and static balance training program among community-dwelling older adults. The secondary purpose was to determine the improvement in the functional fitness and static balance measurements of the participants following an eight-week strength and balance training intervention. METHODS: Eight-week exercise classes were led by CFPs at four different senior centers in San Francisco. Twenty-nine older adults ages 68–87 (mean age = 74.5 ± 5.6 years) volunteered to be in the study. The program featured several components including warm-up, strength, balance, and cool-down; all of which were progressive over the eight week period. Various exercise modalities were employed including stability balls, cables, dumbbells, Tai Chi, and velocity training. Assessments included the Fullerton Senior Fitness Test and static balance measurements (Sharpened Romberg with eyes opened and closed, single leg stance on both the right and left legs.) RESULTS: The data were analyzed by Paired t-tests (p ≤ 0.05). All the dependent variables showed a significant improvement after the eight-weeks except for the Fullerton Back Scratch Test and the Eight-Foot Up-and-Go Test. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrated the feasibility of a strength and balance training program led by CFPs. Furthermore, there were significant improvements in functional fitness and static balance among the older adults.
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