Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
14:13
A Training Program Using an Agility Ladder for Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Published on: March 7, 2020
Do sedentary older adults benefit from community-based exercise? Results from the Active Start program.
Tingjian Yan1, Kathleen H Wilber, Rosa Aguirre
1Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, USA. tingjiay@usc.edu
The Gerontologist
|July 14, 2009
Summary
The Active Start program significantly improved strength, flexibility, and balance in sedentary older adults. This community-based intervention effectively promotes physical activity across diverse racial and ethnic groups.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Sedentary lifestyles are prevalent among older adults, increasing risks for chronic diseases and functional decline.
- Community-based programs are crucial for promoting physical activity and improving health outcomes in aging populations.
- Behavior change strategies combined with fitness interventions show promise for enhancing physical activity in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Active Start program, a community-based intervention.
- To assess the program's impact on physical activity levels and performance in sedentary older adults.
- To determine if the program benefits diverse racial and ethnic groups.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental, within-group pretest-post-test design was utilized.
- Paired t tests and repeated measures analysis of covariance (SAS Proc Mixed) were employed for data analysis.
- A waitlist comparison group was used to control for time effects before they also completed the intervention.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed significant improvements in strength, flexibility, and balance.
- Improvements were observed across White, African American, and Hispanic subgroups.
- The comparison group demonstrated significant improvements after completing the Active Start program.
Conclusions:
- The Active Start program is effective in enhancing physical performance in sedentary older adults.
- The program's combination of behavioral support and fitness classes benefits diverse populations.
- Community-based interventions are a viable strategy for promoting physical activity in older adults.
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