Evaluation of the NASA/JSC Health Related Fitness Program

This study evaluated the long-term effects of the NASA/Johnson Space Center Health Related Fitness Program (HRFP) which includes a 12-week educational component (EC) and quarterly fitness retests (RT). The groups studied were: Compliers (completed EC and greater than or equal to 75% of RT, N = 64); Non-compliers (completed EC but less than 75% of RT, N = 106); Drop-outs (disenrolled from EC, N = 36) and Controls (randomly selected from eligible program pool, N = 52). Pretest medical examination and maximum stress test data showed the groups did not differ on age, % fat, weight, blood lipids, and VO2max (p greater than 0.05). Multivariate analysis of pre- and posttest change data greater than or equal to 2 years from start showed group differences in blood lipids, body composition and VO2max. Results showed that changes in physical activity were related to program completion and periodic fitness reevaluations, and that these group-related changes were associated with changes in VO2max, percent body fat, body weight, and blood lipids.