The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63624

Eleni Tolma, MPH PhD¹, Marcia Lane, MPH², Carol Cornman, BS², and M. Alkaz Uddin, PhD³. (1) Department of Health Pormotion Sciences, Univeristy of Oklahoma, P.O.Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, (405) 271-2017, eleni-tolma@ouhsc.edu, (2) Univeristy of South Carolina, 800 Sumter street, Columbia, SC 29208, (3) Female Health Care, P.O.Box 100, Montville, NJ, NJ 07045

The Placemat Strength Training Program ( PSTP) is an exercise program that consists of a laminated placemat program portraying examples of ten different exercises. The PSTP took place at two sites of an assisted living facility in S. Carolina from December 1998 to May 2000. This study is significant because it examines how motivation to exercise can be sustained for more than a year. The study population consisted of frail elderly residents ( initial =30, final n=17) with multiple medical problems. Motivation was measured quantitatively ( Fisher’s exact test, descriptive statistics, Chi-square) and qualitatively through focus group research and semi-structured interviews. The theoretical framework consisted of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Social Cognitive Theory. Based on quantitative analysis, it was observed that there is a positive trend indicating that residents who exercise regularly are more likely to continue exercising. In addition, the social influence exerted by other residents can also be a motivating factor. The results of the qualitative analysis indicate that perceived benefits of exercising include the ability to perform simple every day tasks ( e.g. standing-up, reaching things) and psychological related benefits such as feeling less bored and keeping one’s mind occupied. Other external motivators include the use of personal reminders, provision of personalized guidance, building rewards/incentives, the use of group activities, visibility of the exercising program, encouragement by staff, and an environment conducive to exercising. Barriers towards exercising were also examined. Limitations include the small number of sample and the use of convenience sampling.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of the sesssion, the participants will be able to list at least five motivating factors that can assist frail elderly in continue exercising.
• By the end of the session, the participants will be able to recognize the difficulties involved in research with frail elderly.

Keywords: Exercise, Elderly

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.