Daughters and mothers exercising together: effects of home- and community-based programs.
OBJECTIVE
This pilot study compares the effectiveness of home- and community-based physical activity interventions that target mothers and daughters to increase physical activity and improve health-related fitness.


METHODS
Mothers (45.18 +/- 7.49 yr) and daughters (15.41 +/- 1.33 yr) were randomly assigned to a community-based (CB) (N = 20 participants) or home-based (HB) (N = 14 participants) program. CB participants attended three instructor-led sessions per week for 12 wk. HB participants were asked to participate in 3 sessions per week for 12 wk in a program similar to the CB program. The main difference between the programs was that CB activities were completed at a fitness facility within a university and HB activities were completed in or near the home. Before and after the intervention, changes in health-related fitness and physical activity were assessed. A series of 2 (group assignment) x 2 (time) ANOVAs were conducted to assess changes separately for mothers and daughters.


RESULTS
CB participants attended 77% of the sessions, and none of the pairs dropped out. HB participants completed 70% of the recommended sessions, and three pairs dropped out. Mothers and daughters in both groups significantly increased their participation in aerobic, muscular strength, and flexibility activities (P = 0.02 to 0.000). Daughters in both groups significantly improved their muscular endurance (sit-ups,P = 0.000). Mothers in both groups improved their muscular strength (push-ups, P = 0.003), muscular endurance (sit-ups, P = 0.000), flexibility (sit-and-reach, P = 0.008), and aerobic capacity (1-mile walk, P = 0.002). Positive changes in diastolic blood pressure also occurred (P = 0.008).


CONCLUSIONS
Mothers and daughters responded positively to CB and HB physical activity programs. Home-based physical activity programming is a cost-effective means to increase physical activity and improve health-related fitness in these groups.
Ransdell
Lynda B
LB
Department of Exercise & Sport Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0920, USA. Lynda.Ransdell@health.utah.edu
Taylor
Alison
A
Oakland
Darcie
D
Schmidt
Jenny
J
Moyer-Mileur
Laurie
L
Shultz
Barry
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010809:Physical Fitness; D014891:Weight Lifting