Fitness Staff’s Perceptions of Offering the 3-Step Workout for Life Program in Senior Living Communities

Abstract

As the population of elderly adults continues to rise, a greater strain will be placed on the healthcare system. Functional exercise programs, such as the 3-Step Workout for Life, have been shown to improve activities of daily living and delay the disablement process. However, the majority of senior living communities do not utilize functional exercise in their fitness programming. This research study aimed to understand the perceptions that fitness staff working at senior living communities have towards the 3-Step Workout for Life program in order to determine the program’s acceptability, feasibility, and appeal. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with five fitness personnel. Participants were recruited from independent living communities. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Using NVivo 12, data was analyzed using thematic analysis techniques to identify common themes. The participants’ perceptions touch on four key themes: 1) revision of screening process; 2) group resistance band exercise would be feasible after minor adaptation; 3) individualized one-on-one ADL exercise is not currently feasible for staff or residents; 4) program addresses a gap in senior fitness. The results of this study provided insight into the feasibility of this program and helped direct modifications needed to enable successful integration.