title: Outcomes of Stay Strong, Stay Healthy in community settings.
abstract: Loss of muscle strength, flexibility, and balance are strong predictors of falls in the elderly.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of a 10-week, strength-based exercise program delivered by Extension professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Matched pair t tests were used to compare differences in five measures of fitness collected from 808 participants (mean age = 65.4 years) at the start and finish of the exercise program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following programming, participants significantly improved strength, flexibility, and balance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicate that an evidence-based program can be translated into a community Extension program that is able to improve the fitness level of seniors.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri, Columbia, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gammon
authors.forename: Patricia J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: An-Lin
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Keyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chertoff
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaume
authors.forename: Eduardo L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Abreu
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brotto
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D003153:Community Health Services; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D018583:Pliability / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D015397:Program Evaluation
keywords: community programs; elderly; exercise; extension; falls prevention