title: Improved physical fitness among older female participants in a nationally disseminated, community-based exercise program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Strength training (ST) is an important health behavior for aging women; it helps maintain strength and function and reduces risk for chronic diseases. This study assessed change in physical fitness following participation in a ST program implemented and evaluated by community leaders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The StrongWomen Program is a nationally disseminated, research-based, community ST program active in 40 states. The Senior Fitness Test is used to assess upper and lower body strength, upper and lower body flexibility, aerobic fitness, and agility; data are collected prior to and following program participation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For these analyses, five states provided deidentified data for 367 female participants, mean age 63 (±11) years. Attendance in approximately 10 weeks of twice-weekly classes was 69.4%. Paired t tests were used to analyze pre-post change. Significant improvements were observed (p < .01) in all Senior Fitness Test measures. Data are stratified by age-group and compared with published, age-based norms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that it is feasible for community leaders to conduct pre-post physical fitness evaluations with participants and that participants experienced improvements across several important domains of physical fitness.
authors.affiliation: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98103, USA. rebeccaseguin@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Seguin
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heidkamp-Young
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuder
authors.forename: Miriam E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*