From Weight Training to ADL Performance

Abstract

1937 An inherent assumption of traditional weight-training (WT) programs is that a direct relationship exists between strength gains derived from WT and increased perceptions of ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) requiring strength. This approach assumes that exercisers implicitly “make the connection” between WT and ADL (i.e., participants generalize their mastery experiences). However, the inconsistent effects of WT on ADL self-efficacy suggest that older adults may not make this connection. PURPOSE: Our intervention compared the effects of WT alone versus WT plus education about training-related strength gains and the use of that strength when performing ADL (WT+ED) on ADL self-efficacy. METHOD: We conducted a two-arm randomized trial in which 23 men and 41 women (M age = 74.4 + 3.7) were randomly assigned to WT or WT+ED. Both groups performed 12 weeks (2 sessions/week) of WT targeting 8 major muscle groups. WT+ED received individualized behavioral training and associated written materials emphasizing the link between WT and ADL. WT received a parallel intervention on proper WT technique only. Self-efficacy for performing 8 valued ADL tasks in our lab (e.g., climbing stairs, carrying groceries, opening heavy doors) was measured at habituation baseline and post-intervention, along with self-efficacy for performing ADL at home. RESULTS: ANCOVAs controlling for baseline efficacy showed that WT+ED had greater postintervention self-efficacy than WT for performing 5/8 ADL lab tasks (ps < .08, ES ranged from .36 to .49). Greater self-efficacy for the 8 ADL tasks was associated with greater self-efficacy for performing ADL at home (R2adj = .18, p < .01). CONCLUSION: The WT+ED treatment lead to greater gains in ADL self-efficacy than WT alone. These findings emphasize the need for interventionist collaboration and behavior change practice to help older adults generalize the benefits and confidence obtained through WT to the performance of valued ADL. Supported by SSHRC grant 410–00–1380