To date, exercise health promotion programs with older adults have tended to target healthier individuals and have examined relatively short-term outcomes and adherence. Studies looking at the effect of exercise on persons with chronic illness focus on outcomes relating to a single specific chronic illness. This longitudinal study specifically targeted older, frail adults, especially African-Americans, who have multiple chronic illnesses. The major hypothesis tests the effect of a continuous, 2 year, exercise program that links exercise with chronic disease management on adherence in older adults with multiple chronic illnesses. Assessments of physical functioning, psychological functioning, depression, illness and symptom management, and fitness performance measures are completed at baseline and 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months. Results indicate that improvements in measures of function, health status, and symptom management have been achieved at early assessment periods. At one year, attrition rates have stabilized and are comparable to other studies of exercise participation in healthy older populations. The findings indicate that linking positive health outcomes of exercise to chronic disease management motivates participants to adhere to the exercise program and to make other life style changes.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Exercise, Adherence
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.