The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a 12-week exercise program (two days per week) for older adults on physical activity levels.
Method:
Forty-nine community dwelling older adult volunteers, aged 64-95 (M=77.29 ±7.60), participated in the study. Baseline and ending PASE (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly) scores were used to determine physical activity levels for the exercise (n=34) and control (n=15) groups.
Analysis/Results:
One way ANOVA results reported no significant PASE score differences at baseline between the exercise (103.65 ±57.89) and control (113.74 ±58.30) groups. At the completion of the 12-week exercise program, no significant differences were found with the PASE scores between the exercise group (97.82 ±58.03) and control (91.20 ±51.76). Paired T-test analyses within each group demonstrated that the exercise group significantly increased activities involving muscular strength and endurance (3.13 ±6.16; 10.52 ±12.82) and decreased those involving outdoor gardening (7.06 ±9.70; 2.94 ±7.19) by the end of the intervention. The control group reported a significantly lower final PASE score compared to baseline results. No significant correlations were reported between PASE scores and height, weight, BMI, modified Berg Balance Scale, timed 8-foot up-and-go, 30 second chair stand, and arm curl (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
While the 12-week exercise program did not result in higher levels of physical activity with the older adult exercise group, the program helped maintain a level of physical activity that was not found with participants in the control group.