This study evaluated an exercise program for older adults in a rural North Carolina community. Seventeen women aged 55-89 participated in an 18-session, twice weekly gentle exercise program focused on walking and chair exercises. The program aimed to increase knowledge of an active lifestyle, physical functioning, and satisfaction. Results showed participants increased their distance walked, heart rate increased into the target range, and they reported enjoying the social benefits and motivation to be more active despite no significant change in pain levels. The program was effective in improving physical functioning and knowledge of an active lifestyle for rural older adults.

1. THE EVALUATION OF AN EXERCISE PROGRAM
FOR RURAL OLDER ADULTS
Luis Paschoa BS, MS, ADPC/NCCAP & Candace Ashton-Forrester Ph.D., LRT/CTRS
Gerontology Program, School of Health and Applied Human Sciences
College of Health and Human Services
Background
Rural older adults tend to face obstacles regarding physical disability
and mobility, lack of affordable and accessible transportation,
social isolation and opportunities to participate in organized
fitness activities. They may find healthy active living a
challenge. However, some rural older adults manage to embrace
and maintain healthy habits due to their transportation to
physical activity areas, having a partner with whom to be
active, and felt activity facilities were safe (Shores et al, 2009).
Yet rural elders, because of their geographical isolation and lack
of proximity to health care providers, experience unique
environmental and other risk factors that require context-
specific solutions to these health issues (Durazo at al, 2011).
Purpose
The purpose of this project was to evaluate a group exercise
program for older adults in a rural community in North
Carolina. The program focused on walking and chair exercises
to reduce sedentary behaviors and the problems caused by such
behaviors. It was specifically designed to (a) increase
knowledge of the importance of an active lifestyle, (b) increase
physical functioning (distance walked, heart rate, decreased
pain), and (c) satisfaction with the program.
Methods
Participants
17 women, aged 55-89 (mean age 73), from a rural community
(pop. 3,054) in Southeastern NC who attended a senior meal
program at a community recreation center, and who were not
physically active.
Program
Gentle Joints & Walking for Wellness—18-sessions, 60-
minutes, twice a week
Data collection
• Knowledge of the importance of an active lifestyle—13-item
questionnaire
• Distance walked in 20 minutes—pre/post tests
• Heart rate—pre/post session tests
• Pain—pre/post session Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
• Satisfaction--interview
Results
Knowledge of the importance of an Active Lifestyle
All participants were able to identify the benefits of being active, future walking
goals, and ways to adapt, increase and adhere to a personalized walking
program.
Distance Walked
Paired sample t-tests indicated significant difference in distance walked from
time 1 to time 17 (P=.037).
Mean Distance Time 1=3.04 Laps,
Mean Distance Time 17=3.68 Laps (2 laps=1/2 mile)
Heart Rate
A repeated measures ANOVA with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction determined
that mean heart rate differed statistically significantly between time points
(F = 278.762, P < 0.0005).
Mean Heart Rate Post Exercise Time 1=98.5
Mean Heart Rate Post Exercise Time 17=128.5
Pain
A repeated measures ANOVA with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction determined
that mean pain scores did not differ statistically significantly between times
(F= 1.378, P = .218).
Mean Pain Pre Exercise Time 1=1.41
Mean Pain Post Exercise Time 1=1.58
Mean Pain Pre Exercise Time 17= 0.90
Mean Pain Post Exercise Time 17=0.51
Discussion
This exercise program was effective in increasing participants’ knowledge of the
importance of being physically active. In addition it increased their physical
functioning as measured by distance walked and heart rate. Target heart rate
during exercise program ranged from 99-132 . This indicates that maximum heart
rate for individual aged 55 and above was met by most participants.
In addition, participants reported they (a) met new friends as a result of
participating in the program, (b) became more comfortable with using the facility,
(c) enjoyed the program, and (d) were motivated to be more
physically active.
Acknowledgements
This study was made possible with the support of Josh Crowell, the
director of the Wellness and Recreation Department at the Warsaw
Wellness and Recreation Center located ,Warsaw, NC. Mr. Paschoa
was supported by the UNCW Graduate Gerontology Scholarship.
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Mean Pain Levels
70
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90
100
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130
140
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Mean Heart Rate