Step & Stride with Ruby: AARP and the Red Hat Society Study the Social Aspect of Group Exercise for Women

The Step & Stride with Ruby program is a year-long walking program testing the connection between the social aspects of group exercise (i.e. walking) and the likelihood that participants will sustain this regular exercise over time. Given the Red Hat Society's reputation for sociability and having fun, this group was approached with the idea and they were eager to collaborate with AARP on this project.

AARP has found evidence that a connection exists between the social aspects of group exercise and the likelihood those participants will continue their exercise program over the long term. In partnership with the Red Hat Society, AARP tested the nexus between sociability of exercise programs as it applies to women through the year-long Step & Stride with Ruby walking program.

The research had a quasi-experimental, pre-post test design, with an experimental group that received a year-long intervention and a control group that did not. A stratified random sample based on geographic location and chapter and member characteristics was used to select 21 chapters for the intervention group and eight chapters for the control group. The pre-post measures were analyzed for statistically significant differences in physical activity levels before and after the program and relationships of the program elements and participant characteristics to levels of physical activity.

The presentation will give an overview of the program elements. The research results presented during the session will help AARP and other organizations more effectively empower women to live healthier, more active lives as they age.