Encouraging Adults Aged 65 and over to Participate in Resistance Training by Linking Them with a Peer: A Pilot Study

Elissa Burton (), Keith D. Hill, Jim Codde, Angela Jacques, Yoke Leng Ng and Anne-Marie Hill
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Elissa Burton: Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
Keith D. Hill: Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia
Jim Codde: Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, WA 6160, Australia
Angela Jacques: Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, WA 6160, Australia
Yoke Leng Ng: Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
Anne-Marie Hill: School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-10

Abstract: Resistance training (RT) is beneficial for older adults, particularly to support living independently in their home. However, fewer than 25% of older adults in Australia participate in the recommended, twice-weekly sessions. Reasons older adults do not participate in RT include not having anyone to go with or not knowing what to do. Our study linked older adults with a peer (i.e., older person already participating in RT) to help them overcome these barriers. The aim of our study was to determine whether peer support was suitable for older adults participating in RT for the first time in the home or gymnasium setting. Each group (home vs. gymnasium) received a 6 week, twice-weekly program. Twenty-one participants completed the 6 week intervention: 14 in the home group and seven in the gymnasium group. The home group completed significantly more sessions per week (2.7 vs. 1.8) than the gymnasium group. Although both groups significantly improved on many physical assessments, no between-group differences were found. However, it is suitable to link a peer for support with novice older people participating in a RT program for the first time in the home or gymnasium. It is recommended that future studies explore whether peer support improves sustainability.

Keywords: strength training; peer support; exercise; adherence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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