RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAM SPARKS PREVIOUSLY SEDENTARY OLDER ADULTS TO CONTINUE EXERCISE HABITS DESPITE COVID-19 RESITRICTIONS

Authors

KA Miller
KJ Weitzel
RA Bliss
DL Duren
SD Ball
BS Baker

Abstract

Kristin A. Miller¹, Kelsey J. Weitzel¹, Rebecca A. Bliss¹, Dana L. Duren¹, Stephen D. Ball¹, Breanne S. Baker²

¹University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri; ²Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Engagement in physical activity combats functional capacity reductions associated with aging in older adults, yet most do not meet current physical activity guidelines. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine if older adults who participated in the Stay Strong, Stay Healthy (SSSH) resistance training program would engage in continued exercise after their class participation had concluded. METHODS: Twenty-four older adults participated in eight weeks of SSSH and completed 12-month follow-up surveys. Differences in activity levels at baseline and 12-month follow-up were assessed with paired t-tests with a Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Total physical activity, resistance training, aerobic, and flexibility exercise participation volume significantly increased by 225, 68, 125, and 26 minutes per week, respectively, from pre-SSSH to 12-month follow-up (pCONCLUSION:These data suggest the SSSH program empowered older adults to begin engaging in a diverse array of PA and to maintain those positive exercise habits up to 12 months after initial program participation, despite COVID-19 restrictions.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This study was funded by University of Missouri Extension.

Recommended Citation

Miller, KA; Weitzel, KJ; Bliss, RA; Duren, DL; Ball, SD; and Baker, BS (2022) "RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAM SPARKS PREVIOUSLY SEDENTARY OLDER ADULTS TO CONTINUE EXERCISE HABITS DESPITE COVID-19 RESITRICTIONS," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 11: Iss. 9, Article 46.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol11/iss9/46