Structured Exercise Classes And Non-structured Exercise Increase Functionality In Older Adults

Abstract

Advancing age is typically associated with decreases in aerobic capacity and strength and loss of muscle mass and bone density. Evidence-based community exercise programs that emphasize strength, flexibility, and balance have been shown to improve functionality and increase independence. Pre-and-post assessment is critical to measuring program success and individual improvement. PURPOSE: To provide a summary of five collaborative teams that used standardized tests to measure changes in functional fitness scores among adults. METHODS: Adults ranged in age from 39-90+ years. Six tests for strength, aerobic fitness, flexibility, and dynamic balance were administered: CHAIR stand, ARM curls, 2-min STEP, sit-and-REACH, BACK scratch, and 8-FOOT up-and-go. Paired t-tests were used to analyze pre-and-post scores. Test sessions were arranged with the 5-6 collaborators and conducted in fall/spring: (1) F2008, (2) F2010, (3) F2014, (4) Spr2015, and (5) Spr2016. At the completion of the pre-tests, collaborators provided individual feedback and exercise recommendations to the adults and encouraged enrollment in a fitness class. RESULTS: Significant pre-and post-results, Mean (SD), were found for the following tests. Fall2008 CHAIR M = 14.29 (2.27), M = 21.21 (5.19), p < 0.001; ARM: M = 16.79 (2.36), M = 21.57 (3.80), p < 0.005; EIGHT-FOOT: M = 5.44 (1.33), M = 4.81 (1.05), p <0.01; Fall2010 CHAIR: M = 18.14 (2.67), M = 22.00 (2.52), p <0.005; ARM: M = 24.86(3.49), M = 27.86 (3.63), p < 0.01; STEP: M = 144 (9.60), M = 131 (7.63), p < 0.005; Fall2014-to-Spr2015 CHAIR: M = 14.73 (3.26), M = 18.07 (3.10), p < 0.001; ARM: M = 16.20 (2.65), M = 20.73 (3.31), p < 0.0001; STEP: M = 90 (15.15), M = 108 (18.63), p < 0.001; REACH: M = 1.55 (2.58), M = 3.57 (3.52), p < 0.05; Spring2016 ARM: M = 17.32 (4.66), M = 196.04 (5.47), p < 0.05; EIGHT-FOOT: M = 5.67 (1.40), M = 5.16 (1.03), p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Significant results indicating improved functionality were found for each testing session. Greater improvements were reported with longer time periods between pre-to-post assessment (e.g., F2014-to-Spr2015) and for 2 sets of test results administered only to adults enrolled in two evidence-based prevention/intervention programs (F2008 & F2010).