Evaluating the Factors Associated With the Completion of a Community-Based Group Exercise Program Among Older Women.
Despite the well-known benefits of exercise, only 50% of U.S. women met recommended physical activity levels in 2014. To combat this issue, the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative of South Florida has been offering the EnhanceFitness (EF) program in community-based settings since 2008. In the current study, we examined the factors associated with the program completion among older women (≥ 60 years). During the first 4 years, 3,829 older women attended EF sessions. Of these, 924 (24.2%) attended the recommended 32 sessions within first 4 months. Results revealed that women who lived in Miami-Dade County, were ≥ 80 years, and did not report depression and/or risk factors for chronic conditions were more likely to complete EF. Black women were less likely to complete the program. Recognition of these factors might help identify at-risk individuals. More efforts are needed to improve completion rates. Theory-based interventions would allow comprehensive understanding of all factors and, therefore, should be explored in the future.
Anamica
A
Batra
Stefany
S
Coxe
Timothy F
TF
Page
Michael
M
Melchior
Richard C
RC
Palmer
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012307:Risk Factors
adherence; older women; physical activity