Introduction: Older African Americans have low levels of physical activity, which increases the risk of aging-related health conditions. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of, and satisfaction with, a community-engaged physical activity intervention targeting older African Americans. Methods: Fifty-six older African Americans were randomized to a successful aging group (SAG) or a physical activity group (PAG) for 12 wk. The PAG consisted of two weekly group exercise sessions and two to three home-based exercise sessions per week. The SAG consisted of weekly group educational sessions related to various aspects of healthy aging. Physical activity was measured by ActiGraph accelerometers and the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors Activities Questionnaire in both groups, and a Fitbit was continuously worn by PAG participants. Results: Group session attendance was 93% and 86% in the PAG and SAG, respectively. The increase in ActiGraph-derived steps per day (1085.3 ± 265.6 vs 34.7 ± 274.3; P = 0.008) and daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; 6.2 ± 1.6 vs 0.3 ± 1.7; d = 0.68; P = 0.01), and self-reported Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors Activities Questionnaire MVPA bouts (3.5 ± 0.77 vs 0.33 ± 0.79; P < 0.001) were significantly greater within the PAG than the SAG. ActiGraph-derived minutes of daily MVPA and steps as well as Fitbit-derived steps per day were significantly greater on days when PAG participants engaged in group sessions compared with days when they self-reported home-based exercise or no exercise (P < 0.016). Participants in both study arms reported high levels of satisfaction (>4-on 5-point Likert scale). Conclusions: The intervention increased physical activity, was well attended, and resulted in high satisfaction. Future studies should assess long-term sustainability in this population.
IntroductionRegular physical activity lowers risk for cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders. Older African Americans (AAs) have been underrepresented in trials that increased physical activity to improve cognitive outcomes.Methods56 sedentary, older, cognitively healthy AAs (avg. 69.2 ± 3.4 yrs. old) were randomized in 1:1 ratio into either a 12-week successful aging group (SAG) or a 12-week physical activity group (PAG). Participants in SAG attended weekly 60-min educational sessions in which healthy aging topics were discussed. Participants in PAG attended supervised physical activity sessions twice per week at local YMCAs (90–120 min/week) and were prescribed 2–3 days per week of home-based activity. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) assessed cognitive function. ANCOVA models compared mean 12-week change in global cognition and subdomain scores between groups with secondary analyses for sex differences. Effect sizes for RBANS were calculated.ResultsThe RBANS global cognition score (SAG Est. 5.6 ± 1.8, effect size = 0.37, p = 0.003) and several subdomain scores (one-sample T tests, all p < 0.05) increased significantly within the SAG. Scores for global cognition increased more in SAG than in PAG (Change Estimate, PAG minus SAG: –4.6 ± 2.5 points, effect size = 0.31) at a trend level (p = 0.072). SAG females increased their global cognition score more than PAG females and more than males in either PAG or SAG (all p < 0.035).DiscussionA 12-week physical activity intervention (PAG) did not improve cognitive functioning among older AAs but a comparator healthy aging education program did. Inadequate physical activity dosage or duration, SAG members acting on health-related information from educational sessions, and/or social stimulation within the SAG may have contributed to these results. Future studies should combine socially engaging activities with vigorous physical activity for cognitive enhancement among cognitively healthy older African Americans.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03474302.
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