Best-practice physical activity programs for older adults: findings from the national impact study.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the impact of existing best-practice physical activity programs for older adults on physical activity participation and health-related outcomes.


METHODS
We used a multisite, randomized trial with 544 older adults (mean age 66 years) and measures at baseline, 5, and 10 months to test the impact of a multiple-component physical activity program compared with results for a control group that did not participate in such a program.


RESULTS
For adults who participated in a multiple-component physical activity program, we found statistically significant benefits at 5 and 10 months with regard to self-efficacy for exercise adherence over time (P < .001), adherence in the face of barriers (P = .01), increased upper- and lower-body strength (P = .02, P = .01), and exercise participation (P = .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Best-practice community-based physical activity programs can measurably improve aspects of functioning that are risk factors for disability among older adults. US public policy should encourage these inexpensive health promotion programs.
Hughes
Susan L
SL
School of Public Health, Center for Research on Health and Aging, Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60608, USA. shughes@uic.edu
Seymour
Rachel B
RB
Campbell
Richard T
RT
Whitelaw
Nancy
N
Bazzarre
Terry
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014481:United States