Peer-led exercise program for ageing adults to improve physical functions - a randomized trial

Abstract

Background A peer-led exercise program is one way to empower people sharing similar characteristics to encourage others to be active, but there is a lack of evidence that these programs have physical function and other benefits when delivered to ageing adults. Methods This randomized controlled trial lasting 12 weeks proposed an exercise peer-led program offered to 31 adults aged 50 and above, twice a week, by a trained leader of the same age from March to May 2019. The program was offered for free with limited space and equipment. Valid tests of physical function (e.g., 30-s chair stand, 6-min walk test) were used to assess the functional benefits. Psychosocial outcomes were assessed using self-reported questionnaires and metabolic outcomes via a fasted blood draw. Results A significant difference was found between pre-and post-values in most physical function tests in the intervention group (all p < 0.05). When adjusted for potential confounders, the intervention group was significantly associated with a more significant improvement on the chair stand test (ß = .26; p < 0.001; r2 = 0.26), the arm curl (ß = .29; p < 0.001; r2 = 0.49), as well as the 6-min walk test (ß = -.14; p < 0.001; r2 = 0.62) compared with the control group. Using repetitive measures generalized linear model, the interaction between the changes and the group was significant for all three tests. Benefits were also observed for participants’ stress level and perceived health in the intervention group compared to the control. Finally, no significant difference was observed between groups for metabolic health. Conclusions The current work suggests that a 12-week peer-led exercise program can improve physical function for adults age 50 and above. Trial registration NCT03799952(ClinicalTrials.gov) 12/20/2018.

Encouraging Adults Aged 65 and over to Participate in Resistance Training by Linking Them with a Peer: A Pilot Study

“…It is recommended that future studies include adherence rates, as well as withdrawal/retention rates, to better understand the value of utilizing peers in physical activity interventions. Two studies by Dorgo and colleagues [ 19 , 27 ] reported a 75% adherence rate, and Bouchard et al found that 68% of the intervention sessions were attended by their participants [ 21 ]. RT programs without peer support have reported withdrawal rates of up to 44% for older adults [ 46 , 47 , 48 ], indicating growing evidence of the benefits of including peers in physical activity interventions.…”

“…A number of studies have investigated the effects of using peer support [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ], peer mentors [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], or peer leaders to deliver physical activity interventions [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Many included a mix of endurance, flexibility, strength, and balance training within the intervention [ 13 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], with an additional study exploring aquatic exercise [ 29 ]; two studies used walking only interventions [ 15 , 16 ], and one utilized only strength and balance training and was peer-led [ 25 ].…”

“…A number of studies have investigated the effects of using peer support [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ], peer mentors [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], or peer leaders to deliver physical activity interventions [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Many included a mix of endurance, flexibility, strength, and balance training within the intervention [ 13 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], with an additional study exploring aquatic exercise [ 29 ]; two studies used walking only interventions [ 15 , 16 ], and one utilized only strength and balance training and was peer-led [ 25 ]. The findings across these various studies suggest that there are benefits to having a peer involved, such as reporting increased levels of physical activity and improvements in physical function, although, when combining studies into a meta-analysis, the control group improved more for both walking and handgrip compared to the intervention groups [ 11 ].…”

“…The findings across these various studies suggest that there are benefits to having a peer involved, such as reporting increased levels of physical activity and improvements in physical function, although, when combining studies into a meta-analysis, the control group improved more for both walking and handgrip compared to the intervention groups [ 11 ]. A more recent 12 week peer-led exercise intervention by Bouchard and colleagues reported improvements for the intervention group compared to controls for the chair stand test, arm curl, and the timed up and go (TUG) [ 21 ]. However, it should be noted that this study included participants 50 years and older as opposed to the others described above that had an inclusion criterion of 60 years and over [ 11 ].…”

A Narrative Review of Peer-Led Positive Psychology Interventions: Current Evidence, Potential, and Future Directions

“…The most utilised type of PPI for older adults was reminiscence interventions, which use past experiences to support psychological wellbeing. Similarly, peer-led programs, which mostly focus on physical activity, general wellbeing, and/or nutrition, have been shown to improve a vast range of health and wellbeing measures in older adults in the community [82], as well as those in retirement living [83].…”