5031.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 5

Abstract #7465

SeniorCise video series: A health promotion intervention for older adults

Sandra Saunders, MPH1, Cindy Padula, PhD2, Ann Marie Belanger, BS3, and Faith Lees, BA3. (1) Dental Hygiene Department, SENIOR Project, University of Rhode Island, 8 Washburn Hall, Kingston, RI 02881-2001, 401-874-4095, s.saunders@uri.edu, (2) College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, 311 White Hall, Kingston, RI 02881, (3) SENIOR Project, University of Rhode Island, 85 Briar Lane, Kingston, RI 02881

This project developed three 30-minute videos for use as health promotion interventions in the "SeniorCise" program, a program advocating exercise for community-living older adults. The videos were designed for inactive adults as home-based interventions, support for established exercise programs, and for community wide broadcast on cable television.

The design of the interventions was based on the Transtheoretical Model Stages of Change. Each video was tailored to address a different stage level related to exercise behavior. A faculty, student and community partnership collaborated in the creation and production of the videos.

Video I was viewed by eighty seniors recruited from six sites. They responded to a thirteen-item questionnaire evaluating the content, quality, usefulness and appropriateness of the video for the target population. Sample characteristics were collected and the association of variables to evaluation measures was tested. Analysis of the eleven questions related to quality and content indicated that the video was well received and has the potential to promote greater exercise behavior among the elderly.

This study provides preliminary support for use of the Stages of Change model in designing exercise interventions utilizing video format. Further research is needed to assess the efficacy, impact and promise of technology-based delivery formats as a means to provide low-cost interventions to large numbers of people.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Adult Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA