Predictors Of Improvement In Physical Function In Older Adults In An Evidence-Based Physical Activity Program (Enhancefitness)

Details

• Alternative Title:
  J Geriatr Phys Ther
• Personal Author:
  Fishleder, Sarah ; Petrescu-Prahova, Miruna ; Harris, Jeffrey R. ; Leroux, Brian ; Bennett, Kimberly ; Helfrich, Christian D. ; Kohn, Marlana ; Hannon, Peggy
• Description:
  Background and Purpose
  
  Declines in strength, flexibility and balance in older adults can lead to injuries and loss of independence, and are particularly common in those of greater age and in worse health. Enhance®Fitness (EF) is a nationally disseminated, evidence-based group exercise program for older adults that has been shown to improve function through cardiovascular, strength, flexibility and balance exercises. This paper examines changes in, and predictors of, participant physical function from baseline through 2 program cycles of EF as measured by 3 physical function tests: arm curls, chair stands, and eight-foot up-and-go.
  
  Methods
  
  We analyzed data on participants that attended at least 2 consecutive 16-week program cycles between January 2005 and June 2016. We ran 3 random effects linear regression models, 1 for each physical function test, and accounted for missing data and clustering by class site. Independent variables included attendance, demographics, and health status.
  
  Results and Discussion
  
  A total of 7,483 participants completed baseline and 2 sets of follow-up physical function tests. For all 3 physical function tests, participants showed some degree of improved physical function at each follow-up, and greater program attendance predicted clinically significant improvements. Some participants had less improvement: females, those less active at baseline, above age 75, not married or partnered, or in fair or poor health, those that had experienced at least 1 fall, and those with a disability.
  
  Conclusion
  
  EF program providers may need to implement additional measures to support the participants that could benefit most from EF, such as targeting messaging, coordinating with referring providers to emphasize attendance and general activity in specific participants, and offering additional support to groups that show less improvement during classes. The evidence presented here may inform clinical decision-making for older adult patients, and increase healthcare provider confidence in EF and similar exercise programs, thereby providing a mechanism to maintain and continue functional gains made in clinical or rehabilitation settings.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Accidental Falls Aged Aged, 80 And Over Age Factors Aging Article Disease Prevention Programs Exercise Exercise Therapy Female Health Behavior Humans Male Physical Functional Performance Postural Balance Sex Factors Socioeconomic Factors

  More +
• Source:
  J Geriatr Phys Ther. 42(4):230-242
• Pubmed ID:
  29979352
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC6318072
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  U48DP005013/ACL/ACL HHS/United States ; U48 DP005013/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States
• Volume:
  42
• Issue:
  4
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:a1be927428b179f086fc639f41b5d54423d6f125b2e28905dba08eabd574c424
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/86793/cdc_86793_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 843.23 KB ]