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Impact of a Community-Based Falls Prevention Program on Maintenance of Physical Activity Among Older Adults

Department of Kinesiology, and Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire en santé (GRIS) [Interdisciplinary Research Group on Health], Université de Montréal, and CSSS Cavendish, Canada Montreal Public Health Department, Agence de santé et de services sociaux, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Anne Pelletier, MSc

Department of Kinesiology, Université de Montréal, and Canada Montreal Public Health Department, Agence de santé et de services sociaux, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Lise Gauvin, PhD

Department of Social and Preventive Medicine and Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire en santé (GRIS) [Interdisciplinary Research Group on Health], and Léa-Roback Research Centre on Social Inequalities in Health of Montreal,Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Yvonne Robitaille, PhD

Institut national de santé publique du Québec and Department of Social and Preventive Medicine,Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Michel Fournier, MA

Direction de santé publique de Montréal, [Montreal Public Health Department], Agence de santé et de services sociaux, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Hélène Corriveau, PhD, PT

School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Johanne Filiatrault, PhD, OT

School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, and Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Objective: This study examines the 9-month impact of a 12-week falls prevention program (called Stand Up!) which included balance exercises and educational components on maintenance of physical activity among community-dwelling seniors. Method: Data were collected among 98 experimental and 102 control participants at baseline, immediately after the program and 9 months later. Involvement in physical activity was measured with three indicators. Program effects were examined using linear and logistic regression procedures. Results: Both groups showed similar increases in weekly frequency of exercise at the 9-month posttest. However, the program's participants showed higher increases in their variety of exercises at the 9-month posttest (especially among those with greater baseline scores). Among seniors reporting lower levels of energy expenditure at baseline, the program's participants showed significantly greater increases in energy expenditure than control participants. Discussion: These preliminary findings suggest that programs such as Stand Up! have the potential to stimulate continued involvement in physical activity.

Key Words: falls prevention • physical activity involvement • maintenance of effects • balance • community-dwelling seniors

Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 21, No. 3, 480-500 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264308328988


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