Feasibility of the FIT-program for nursing home residents.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose of the study. Physical exercise can significantly counter sarcopenia and functional dependency in nursing home (NH) residents. The study aimed to assess the feasibility of a strengthening exercise program specially designed for NH residents (FIT), and to identify motivators and barriers for participation and adherence to the FIT-program in NH residents.
Methods. Residents of four NH were eligible to participate (N=349). Inclusion criteria were: cognitive and physical ability to participate, without contra-indications to exercise (e.g. recent surgery). The FIT-program consisted in 3 weekly 30-minutes supervised sessions during 4 weeks and including 5 resistance exercises (3 series of 10 repetitions) using elastic bands. Participants were invited to continue the exercises without professional supervision for 3 weeks. Adherence rate was recorded and motivators and barriers for attendance to the program were identified using semi-structured interviews
Results. In total 125 residents met the inclusion criteria, of whom 64 agreed on and 61 declined participation. Twenty-five persons attended to 100%, 22 to 50-99% and 17 to less than 50% of the FIT-program sessions. Without supervision, 20 residents exercised regularly (1-2/ week) and 44 seldom or never. Barriers and motivators to attend the exercise sessions could be categorized in physical (e.g. pain, stiffness,...), psychological (e.g. motivation, feeling too old,...) , social (e.g. peer support,...) and environmental factors (e.g. transport by staff, notification of program,...).
Conclusions. In general, the adherence rate was moderate. The presence of professional coaching, group sessions and support of the nursing staff is crucial for motivating residents to exercise.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)47-47
Number of pages1
JournalTijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie
Volume41
Publication statusPublished - 2010

Keywords

  • SARCOPENIA
  • PHYSICAL EXERCISE
  • NURSING HOME
  • MOTIVATOR

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Feasibility of the FIT-program for nursing home residents.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this