Abstract
Only 17% of older adults meet the recommendations for two days of full body strength training that is associated with improved functional fitness; reduced risk of falls; and reduced morbidity and mortality rates. Community-based interventions are recommended as they provide supportive infrastructure to reach older adults and impact strength training behaviors. Scalability and sustainability of these interventions is directly linked with setting-level buy-in. Adapting an intervention through an integrated research–practice partnership may improve individual and setting-level outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial reach and effect of a locally adapted, health educator-led strength-training intervention; Lifelong Improvements through Fitness Together (LIFT). LIFT was compared to an evidence-based exercise program, Stay Strong; Stay Healthy (SSSH). Intervention dose and mode were the same for LIFT and SSSH, but LIFT included behavioral change strategies. Older adult functional fitness was assessed before and after the 8-week strength training intervention. Health educators who delivered LIFT and SSSH were able to reach 80 and 33 participants, respectively. Participants in LIFT were able to significantly improve in all functional fitness measures whereas SSSH participants were only able to significantly improve in 5 of the 7 functional fitness measures. In conclusion, this study provides preliminary evidence that the locally adapted program reached more individuals and had improvements in functional fitness.
Highlights
Older adults (≥65 years of age) represent the fastest growing and most inactive subset of individuals in the United States [1]
The overall sample size may seem small compared to the overall older adult population in Virginia, the reach of Lifelong Improvements through Fitness Together (LIFT) was comparable to other physical activity interventions [40] and strength-training interventions [5]
It is important to note that the four health educators who delivered LIFT and both health educators who delivered Stay Strong; Stay Healthy (SSSH) expressed their desire to continue or begin delivery of LIFT in the future
Summary
Older adults (≥65 years of age) represent the fastest growing and most inactive subset of individuals in the United States [1]. Two days of full-body strength-training recommendations were included in the physical activity guidelines a decade ago [2], only 17% of older adults meet the recommendations for strength-training [3]. This low rate of compliance with strength-training recommendations is a public health concern. Older adults lose muscle mass and strength with increased age and physical inactivity [4,5]. Public Health 2018, 15, 237; doi:10.3390/ijerph15020237 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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