Impact of the first step to active aging on older adult's functional fitness, balance and daily activity

Abstract

To determine how the First Step to Active Aging (FSAH) program impacts functional fitness (FF), balance, and daily physical activity (DPA) in older adults. The FSAH group consisted of 18 women. FSAH group met at a senior center for 11 wk, 2d•wk for a 50 min. training program (flexibility, strength, balance, aerobic). The control group consisted of 15 women. Program effectiveness was assessed using measures of FF (chair stand, arm curl, sit & reach, up & go, scratch test, and 12-min walk), balance (movement velocity (MVL), endpoint excursion (EPE), maximum EPE (MXE), and directional control (DCL) for forward (F), right (R), left (L) and back (B) movements), pedometer measured DPA, and weight. No baseline difference existed between groups. Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed group x time interactions (p < .05) on all measures except flexibility. After 11 weeks, FF improvements were noted in the FSAH group: Chair Stand 46 %, Arm Curl 25 %; Up-&-Go 8 %; 12-min Walk 13%. With respect to LOS, MXE improved in all directions (F 18%, R 14%, B 23%,L 10%) and DCL improved in the F direction 9%. DPA also increased from 3,108 to 5,077 steps (38%). The control group did not change in any variable. Participating in a FSAH program improves FF.