Do Sedentary Older Adults Benefit From Community-Based Exercise? Results From the Active Start Program

Abstract

This study suggests that a community-based physical activity program benefits sedentary, racially, and ethnically diverse older adults by coupling a behavioral change support group and fitness classes.

Evaluation of a Peer-Led, Low-Intensity Physical Activity Program for Older Adults

“…The participants' perception of their increased physical fitness was further explored by objectively testing physical function using the Senior Fitness Test, before beginning ExerStart for Lay Leaders and upon finishing the 20-week course. A previous evaluation of Active Start, a program that combines a behavioral modification program (Active Living Every Day) and the original ExerStart program found that participants' functional fitness improved on all 6 domains, 24 just as it did in the current ExerStart for Lay Leaders study. The cost of ExerStart for Lay Leaders is also relatively minimal (driven primarily by the expenses of $3 -5 per resistance band and the variable cost of stipends for peer instructors per class).…”

“…ExerStart is one of the first low-intensity, physical activity programs designed to ease sedentary older adults into regular physical activity by building skill mastery, using modeling, selfefficacy, reducing barriers, and improving functional physical fitness. 23, 24 The program uses constructs, such as modeling from the social cognitive theory, to increase participants' self-efficacy to perform exercises and change sedentary behavior. 25 According to Bandura, self-efficacy is the individual's expectation that he or she possess certain knowledge and skills as well as the capability to take the action required to overcome problems and succeed under the stresses and pressures of life.…”

“…However, the randomized trials of Active Living Every Day (ALED) and Active Start, 2 evidence-based programs, used comparison groups and yielded results similar to those of the current study. 24,45 The original ExerStart program was a main component of the Active Start study, which utilized a diverse sample of sedentary older adults to test the ALED plus original ExerStart combination. Active Start participants, similar to the ExerStart for Lay Leaders participants, significantly improved their functional physical fitness.…”

“…Active Start participants, similar to the ExerStart for Lay Leaders participants, significantly improved their functional physical fitness. 24 In the original trials of ALED, researchers used objective (observed) and subjective (perceived) measures of physical performance. In the current study, self-reported measures, similar to those of the original and follow-up ALED studies, were used to explore participant satisfaction with body function and BMI.…”

Roles of Oxidative Damage, Exercise, and Caloric Restriction in Health Span

“…Signifi cant improvements of strength, fl exibility, and balance were found during a study of the Active Start program, designed to promote physical activity among sedentary community-dwelling older adults (Yan, Wilber, Aguirre, & Trejo, 2009). The study indicated that a community-based physical activity program benefi ts sedentary, racially, and ethnically diverse older adults by coupling a behavioral change with physical activity (Yan et al, 2009).…”