Factors Influencing the Completion of a Physical Activity Program

Introduction: Improvement in physical activity levels can alter the course of many chronic conditions. Therefore, understanding factors that influence the maintenance of physical activity in older adults is essential.

Methods: Between October 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011 3,512 older adults attended Enhance Fitness (EF) sessions in South Florida. EF, an evidence-based program, consists of three one-hour sessions per week, and focuses on stretching, flexibility, balance, low impact aerobics, and strength training exercises. Participants completed demographic and baseline surveys on the first day of class. Determinants of program completers were identified using logistic regression.

Results: 2,008 participants attended 32 or more sessions in three years with 820 attending them within first16 weeks. For this analysis, a completer is an individual who attended 32 or more sessions within first 16 weeks. Gender, age, county of residence, race/ethnicity, and indicators of chronic conditions were found to be significant. Males were 1.5 times more likely to complete the program (OR=1.52, p=.005,Ref.=female). Those who lived in Miami-Dade County (OR=1.95, p=.04,Ref.=Monroe) and were 70-79 years old (OR= 2.01, p=.001,Ref.>=90 years) were more likely to complete the program. Participants who self-reported having either none (OR=1.55,p=.01) or two risk factors for chronic conditions (OR=1.63,p=.007) were more likely to complete the program. African Americans, when compared to whites, were 0.45 times less likely to complete the program (OR=0.45, p=.001).

Conclusion: Certain factors predicted program completion. Targeting such factors might help agencies and instructors lower program attrition rates to increase benefits that participants attain by attending minimum recommended sessions.