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IMPACT OF 10-WEEK BINGOCIZE® PROGRAM ON SELF-REPORTED GENERAL HEALTH, FEAR OF FALLING, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

Mark Schafer1, Sarah Scali1, Whitley Stone1, Scott Lyons, FACSM2, Jason Crandall1. 1Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY. 2University of North Alabama, Florence, AL.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effectiveness of Bingocize®. This health promotion program strategically combines the game of bingo with fall prevention/nutrition education and exercise in 39 community centers across the state of Virginia. METHODS: Older adults and participants with disabilities (N =410; age 75.4 + 7.5 y) attended the group Bingocize® sessions two times per week for 10 weeks. Participants played the traditional game of bingo with intermittent strength, balance, and flexibility exercise sessions and nutrition/falls prevention education. Participants completed a pre and post assessment to determine their individual rating for general health, fear of falling, and physical activity level. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in self-reported physical activity levels (Wilcoxon signed-rank; Z = -2.804, p = 0.005) and in pre and post self-reported responses for general health (Z = -2.133, p = 0.033), but fear of falling was not different (Z = -1.866, p = 0.059). However, participants (n=54) with fair or poor health at baseline reported significantly decreased fear of falling (Z = -3.145, p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: A 10-week Bingocize® program can have a positive impact on increasing the general health and physical activity level of older adults and people with disabilities. The program also appears to improve fear of falling in the participants who report fair or poor health and, therefore, can benefit the most from participation.

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