Objective: To examine the feasibility, efficacy and safety of a comprehensive 12-week exercise training program for a predominantly African-American group of women with multiple disabling conditions. Design: A pretest/posttest control group design was used. Setting: University-based fitness center. Participants: 38 females, 7 males (M age=54.1 yrs). Intervention: Exercise training regimen, 3 days.wk-1 for 60 min.day-1 (cardiovascular - 30 min; strength - 20 min; flexibility - 10 min). Main Outcome Measures: peak VO2 ( mL.min-1, mL. kg-1. min-1),10-RM on two LifeFitness strength machines, grip strength (GS), body weight (BW), total skinfolds (TS), waist to hip ratio (WHR), hamstring/low back flexibility (HLBF), and shoulder flexibility (SF). Results: Compared to Controls, the Exercise group showed significant gains in peak VO2 (P < .01), strength (P < .01), HLBF (P < .01), and body composition (TS, P < .01). There was no significant difference between Exercise and Controls on GS, BW, WHR, HLBF, and SF. Conclusion: A supervised exercise training program for a predominantly African-American group of women with multiple disabling conditions residing in a complex, inner-city environment, was considered feasible, safe and effective for improving overall fitness. See www.ncpad.org
Learning Objectives: Understand the dynamics of developing a comprehensive health promotion intervention for women with disabling conditions living in difficult environments.
Keywords: Health Promotion, Disability
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Disability and Human Development
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.