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When New York Low-Income Seniors Exercise, Weight Falls and Confidence Rises
Feasibility study on adapting a physical activity program for low-income seniors
Researchers with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tested a 12-week physical activity program that combined aerobics, resistance exercise and motivational activities in a group of 340 low-income, mostly African-American seniors.
Key Findings:
- At the end of the program, participants reported significantly greater confidence in their ability to exercise (self-efficacy) and greater expectations about the outcomes of exercise, compared with adults who did not participate.
- In focus groups, seniors most often cited physical activity as the benefit they associated with exercise.
- Individualized instruction was also a major influence on seniors' willingness to participate in exercise.
- Social and emotional benefits of exercise are important to older adults.
- Laziness and unpleasant sensations were two barriers to participation in exercise.