Participation In Exercise Classes Research Articles

Contribution of Structured Exercise Class Participation and Informal Walking for Exercise to Daily Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

(2002). Contribution of Structured Exercise Class Participation and Informal Walking for Exercise to Daily Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: Vol. 73, No. 3, pp. 350-356.

Predictors of Older Primary Care Patients' Participation in a Submaximal Exercise Test and a Supervised, Low-Impact Exercise Class

Objectives. This study is an investigation of physical activity promotion among a nonvolunteer sample of community-dwelling, older, urban primary care patients. Our primary interest was in the rates of exercise test and class participation. Of secondary interest were the medical record and baseline survey predictors of test and class participation.Methods. The first 500 nonterminally ill women ages 50 years or more with a visit at one of two predominantly African-American, inner-city primary care clinics received a physician screen, a referral to a submaximal exercise test, and, subsequently, a free, supervised exercise program located in a nearby community center.Results. Eighty-one percent were eligible for the exercise test per provider screen. Of these, 29% completed the exercise test and 28% attended at least one exercise class. After 1 year, 9.2% were attending the exercise classes. Higher exercise outcome expectations, not smoking, and clinic site were associated with exercise test and class participation.Conclusions. Providing free, traditional exercise classes and a primary care referral to the classes resulted in limited physical activity participation among older, urban primary care patients. More development and testing of physical activity promotion programs are needed in this population.

'Finding a good thing': the use of quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate an exercise class and promote exercise for adults with mobility impairments

Purpose: Physical inactivity in people with severe disabilities is common and has severe consequences. Conditioning classes are one way to increase activity and promote its health related outcomes. This paper reports the results of an evaluation of a community based conditioning class for adults with mobility impairments. Method: The study uses two methods with two samples: a quantitative self-report methodology and a quantitative interview. Results: The quantitative evaluation found no significant increases in standard self-report measures of physical activity, functional status, quality of life, depression, or exercise self-efficacy. The lack of significant quantitative results may be due to limits in study design. The open-ended qualitative interviews with 16 class participants show important physical, social and psychological improvements. The juxtaposition of these two perspectives allows researchers to recognize the limitations in their choice of methods and the challenges faced by researchers evaluating small community based programmes for this limited population. Conclusion: In this case, the qualitative evaluation captured the positive experiences of the exercise class participants.

Trunk muscle training and early Parkinson's disease

Despite clinical observations of truncal involvement, and the potentially serious subsequent complications, studies have not quantitatively investigated the effect of exercise class participation on trunk performance in Parkinsonians. We examined the effects of training on trunk function in 13 persons with early Parkinson's disease, compared with 13 non-exercising Parkinsonians. The exercise subjects attended 12 weeks of half-weekly aerobic classes; the warm-up included strengthening exercises specific to the trunk. The control subjects attended an ‘interest talk’ every 3 weeks. Range of motion, torque and velocity of trunk flexors, extensors and rotators were examined using the Isostation B200 dynamometer. The Webster Disability Rating Scale was used to assess neurological signs, the Northwestern University Disability Scale to assess functional implications of these signs, and the Human Activity Profile to evaluate intensity of daily activity, as limited primarily by non-Parkinsonian elements. Isometric torque production and velocity against resistance improved in the exercise group, the results achieving or nearing significance when compared with the control group. No difference between groups was noted regarding range of motion or Parkinsonian sign severity. Therefore, participation in an aerobic exercise class incorporating trunk muscle training has the potential to improve trunk muscle performance. These benefits can be gained without worsening neurological signs or trunk flexibility of Parkinsonians.

Aerobic Exercise and Early Parkinson's Disease

The effects of 12 weeks of twice-weekly aerobic exercise were investigated in a group of 13 persons with early Parkinson's disease (PD), compared with 13 nonexercising parkin sonians. Pertinent relationships between variables were also examined. Exercise class participation increased cardiorespiratory fitness and habitual activity level and margin ally improved mood. No change was noted regarding severity of parkinsonian signs. Func tional ability remained stable in the exercise group, but decreased in the control group. Results indicate that participation in an aerobic exercise program can result in gains in cardiorespiratory fitness and habitual activity levels, improving mood while maintain ing functional ability; these benefits can be gained without worsening the neurologic signs of persons with early PD. Greater cardiorespiratory fitness was shown to be corre lated with greater functional activity and ability. Such relationships highlight the impor tance of minimizing the signs of the disease and mai...

Body image as a leisure constraint: Examining the experience of aerobic exercise classes for young women

Abstract Previous research has shown that women, and especially young women, in this culture experience pressure to be thin. Although considerable research has been directed toward the investigation of body image and its relationship to psychological health and self‐image, the impact of body image on leisure behavior has not been adequately addressed, nor has body image received much attention as a potential leisure constraint. The purpose of this study was to investigate ways in which body image might function as a constraint to young women's participation in aerobic exercise classes. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods, including a survey of 190 women undergraduate students and in‐depth interviews with a sub‐sample of 11 students. The qualitative data are the main focus of this analysis. The data indicated that body image did not seem to prevent participation or constrain levels of participation in aerobics. Nevertheless, body image concerns were shown to constrain the enjoyment of ...

The Impact of Group Size in an Exercise Setting.

Two independent studies were conducted to examine the impact of group size in an exercise setting. In the first, archival data from 47 exercise classes varying in size from 5 to 46 members were used to examine the relationship between group size and behavior. Attention and retention were high in small and large exercise classes and specific social psychologocal correlates of group size including the participants' perceptions of conspicuousness, quality and quantity of interactions with their leader, their opportunities for social interaction with other members, the level of crowding and density, and satisfaction. Trend analyses showed a curvilinear relationship between exercise class size and participants' perceptions of the opportunities available for social interaction and feelings of crowding and density. Both the small and large classes were perceived more favorably than the medium classes. The relationships between class size and perceptions of the instructor as well as the level of satisfaction experienced were linear-positive perceptions decreased systematically as class size increased.

Sensation seeking and participation in aerobic exercise classes

The structured and formal nature of aerobic exercise classes was predicted to be more attractive to low than to high sensation seekers. This relationship was investigated by administering Zuckerman's (1979) Sensation-Seeking Scale, Form V and a questionnaire which probed various aspects of aerobic exercise participation (e.g. patterns of attendance, motivations for starting and continuing, and social aspects of the activity) to 177 females who were currently enrolled in aerobic exercise classes. Aerobic exercise participants were found to score lower on sensation seeking than did the individuals of comparable age groups of Australians or Canadian students.

Sensation seeking: preoccupation with diet and exercise regimens

The present study examined the hypothesis that sensation seeking correlates with (a) preoccupations about body weight and (b) the regimentation of exercise programs and diet. A sample of 55 female aerobic exercise class participants were given the Aerobic Exercise Questionnaire II, and scales for Sensation Seeking, Obsessive Compulsive Behavior and Restrained Eating. Two Aerobic Exercise Questionnaire II subscales (Preoccupation With Weight and Regimentation of Exercise) were defined by factor analysis. The results indicated that sensation seeking and obsessive compulsive scale scores were negatively correlated. Anomalous sensation seeking scale scores obtained for those individuals who scored above the mean on both of the Aerobic Exercise Questionnaire II subscales suggested socially desirable responding.

Increasing exercise among blue-collar employees: The tailoring of worksite programs to meet specific needs

Despite increasing interest in worksite exercise programs, little attention has been focused on the blue-collar segment of the workforce. Because of their low participation in traditional exercise classes and programs, blue-collar workers at a university were targeted for an exercise program tailored specifically to their preferences and needs. Thirty-eight sedentary males employed in operations and maintenance shops on the university campus were evaluated with regard to their current exercise behavior, other health habits, and their preferred types of physical activity programs. A pre- and postprogram submaximal exercise test, weight, and blood pressure measurements were also completed on-site. Twenty-two men (23% of the total blue-collar population) subsequently participated in a 16-week exercise program using an on-site parcourse, and incorporating such motivational strategies as public monitoring, intershop competition, and activity-based incentives. Participation rates were substantially higher than those recorded for previous worksite exercise classes. Participants showed increases in fitness levels ( P < 0.0001) and decreases in weight ( P < 0.05) compared with nonparticipants. Suggestions concerning recruitment of such individuals into low-cost exercise programs and subsequent participation maintenance are discussed.

Evaluating Physical Capabilities in the Elderly: The Relationship Between ADL Self-Assessments and Basic Abilities

ABSTRACTThe relationship between ADL self-assessments and physical ability was investigated using data compiled on 128 exercise class participants. Compared with community dwelling respondents, institutionalized seniors were not only less accurate in their subjective ADL estimates, but consistently underestimated their capabilities over comparable ranges of the objective physical scale. Seniors appear to make errors estimating their functional capabilities with respect to daily activities they no longer perform and that may be restricted for reasons of institutional convenience.