Walking program maintenance in women with elevated serum cholesterol

Health benefits are commonly reported in supervised exercise studies but it is not known whether participants remain active upon completion of the program. The walking habits of 21 older women (M = 62.0 +/- 4.8 years) with moderately elevated serum cholesterol were monitored for 12 months following completion of a supervised walking program. The average amount they walked per week decreased significantly--from approximately 4.5 hours to less than 3 hours after 3 and 6 months. After 12 months, one third of the participants continued to walk for more than 4 hours per week, 50% walked from 2 to 4 hours per week, and 20% had quit walking. Walking maintenance was not significantly associated with fitness level, percentage of body fat, or change in weight during the supervised program. Those who achieved the greatest reduction in serum cholesterol, however, were more likely to maintain walking levels after 12 months. Perceived lack of control over their physical activity levels by older women and loss of socialization and feedback may explain the decrease in activity observed after completion of a supervised program.