Outcomes of Participation in a Community-Based Physical Activity Program

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Exercise Science

Background:

• The Fit and Fall Proof (FFP) program, established in 2004, is a peer volunteer-led initiative.
• It aims to deliver sustainable physical activity programs to underserved populations, including rural and frontier communities.
• The program focuses on enhancing mobility, function, and social engagement for older adults to promote independence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the FFP program on physical, social, and emotional outcomes in older adults.
• To assess the program's effectiveness in improving mobility and reducing fall risk in a diverse senior population.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month longitudinal study involving 120 new participants (mean age 75) from rural and urban areas.
• Utilized validated instruments: Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), SF-36v2, and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.
• Convenience sampling recruited participants to assess program outcomes.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in TUG and SF-36v2 measures for physical, social, and emotional health.
• Participants completing at least one 10-week session (66%) showed sustained health improvements.
• For participants aged 75 and older, TUG improvements were strongly associated with class attendance; higher attendance led to greater gains.

Conclusions:

• The FFP program demonstrates effectiveness comparable to programs utilizing physiotherapists or athletic trainers.
• It successfully promotes health equity by engaging community-dwelling, underserved senior populations.
• FFP serves as a sustainable, translatable model for public health collaborations in both urban and rural settings.