Promoting physical activity among women with mobility impairments: a randomized controlled trial to assess a home- and community-based intervention.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of an intervention to promote physical activity and fitness in physically disabled women.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Home or community.


METHODS
Seventy-five adult women with mobility limitations.


METHODS
Incorporated behavioral techniques, social support, and education to promote exercise.


METHODS
Fitness measures included weight, body mass index, resting blood pressure and heart rate, time to complete a mobility course, and heart rate during and blood pressure after navigating the course. Also collected self-reported experience of secondary conditions and weekly self-reports of physical activity.


RESULTS
We found no significant fitness differences between groups, except for peak heart rate. However, paired t tests of the physical activity data revealed the experimental group significantly increased its total weekly physical activity minutes (P=.04), and the increase in weekly cardiovascular activity approached significance (P=.06).


CONCLUSIONS
The experimental group did not experience better fitness or fewer secondary conditions than the controls. However, the experimental group's physical activity data indicate that this group significantly increased its activity over 6 months. Thus, although this study did not detect health changes, it showed that mobility-impaired women can adopt and maintain a physical activity program.
Froehlich-Grobe
Katherine
K
Occupational Therapy Education Department, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. kgrobe@kumc.edu
White
Glen W
GW
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015431:Weight Loss