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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #221221
Title: Successful dissemination of a community-based strength training program for older adults by peer and professional leaders: the people exercising program

Author
item LAYNE, JENNIFER - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item SAMPSON, SUSAN - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item MALLIO, CHARLOTEE - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item HIBBERD, PATRICIA - TUFTS-NEMC
item GRIFFITH, JOHN - TUFTS-NEMC
item DAS, SAI KRUPA - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item FLANAGAN, WILLIAM - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item Castaneda-Sceppa, Carmen

Submitted to: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2008
Publication Date: 12/1/2008
Citation: Layne, J.E., Sampson, S.E., Mallio, C., Hibberd, P.L., Griffith, J.L., Das, S., Flanagan, W.J., Castaneda-Sceppa, C. 2008. Successful dissemination of a community-based strength training program for older adults by peer and professional leaders: the people exercising program. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 56(12):2323-2329.

Interpretive Summary: Despite the well-known health benefits of an active lifestyle, the majority of older adults in the U.S. do not engage in a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week as recommended by the Surgeon General. A very small number of adults over 65 years of age, less than 15%, meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that older adults perform physical activity to increase their muscular strength and endurance on two or more days of the week. The public health impact is significant given the substantial increase in the percentage of older adults that is estimated to occur over the next 40 years. Community-delivered initiatives have the potential to meet this need by reducing barriers and increasing opportunities for older adults to exercise. We conducted a study from January 2005 to December 2006 to determine the feasibility of a model for disseminating community-based strength training programs for older adults through leadership training of both laypersons or "peers" and health and fitness professionals. Two hundred forty-four program leaders, 149 peers and 95 professionals, were recruited and completed a daylong certification workshop on how to implement and teach a progressive strength training, balance and flexibility exercise program. As a prerequisite to attending the training workshop, potential leaders were asked to commit to establish and/or teach at least two 12 week strength training classes within one year of completing the leader training. Of all leaders that completed training and certification, 79% or 193, established and/or taught strength training classes at senior centers, community centers, churches, or municipal buildings in their local communities. There was no difference in the percentage of peer leaders, 80% or 119, versus professional leaders, 78% or 74, who established and/or taught classes despite significant differences in their demographic and health profiles. As a result, 97 self-sustaining strength training classes were established and 2,217 older adults, 1,942 women and 275 men, between 50 to 97 years of age enrolled. In conclusion, training both peer and professional leaders is a feasible and successful model for disseminating a community strength training program for older adults. Wide-spread dissemination of this program has significant public health implications for increasing physical activity participation by older adults.

Technical Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of a model for disseminating community-based strength training programs for older adults through leadership training of both laypersons or "peers" and health and fitness professionals. DESIGN: Longitudinal study conducted from January 2005 to December 2006. SETTING: Senior and community centers, churches, and municipal buildings. ARTICIPANTS: Two hundred forty-four program leaders: 149 peers and 95 professionals. INTERVENTION: A progressive strength training, balance and flexibility exercise program and a leader training and certification workshop. MEASURES: Feasibility was defined as >/- 75% of individuals who completed leader training would establish and/or teach at least two 12 week strength training classes within one year. Program dissemination was quantified as the number of classes established as of December 2006. Demographic characteristics and health status of leaders and program participants were evaluated. RESULTS: Of all leaders, 79% met the feasibility criteria of establishing and/or teaching strength training classes. There was no difference in the percentage of peer leaders versus professional leaders who established and/or taught classes despite significant differences in their demographic and health profiles. Ninety-seven self-sustaining strength training classes were established and 2,217 older adults, 1,942 women and 275 men, between 50 to 97 years of age enrolled. CONCLUSION: Training both peer and professional leaders is a feasible and successful model for disseminating a community strength training program for older adults. Wide-spread dissemination of this program has significant public health implications for increasing physical activity participation by older adults.