Extension Educators and Volunteer Leaders: Evaluation of Fitness Outcomes Among Participants in Community Strength Training Classes

Overview

Journal Front Public Health

Specialty Public Health

Date 2020 Nov 16

PMID 33194968

Authors

Lisa Tucker Washburn

LaVona Traywick

M E Betsy Garrison

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Volunteer-led strength training classes can expand access, improve exercise adherence, and enhance intervention sustainability for older adults. This study compared participant functional fitness outcomes between volunteer-led and Extension educator-led StrongWomen strength training groups in community settings. Change scores for participants ( = 317) were calculated for six Senior Fitness Test (SFT) measures. A non-parametric analysis of independent samples to determine SFT score differences between participant groups (educator-led and volunteer-led) showed no significant differences. Volunteers and professionals, like Extension educators, may be similarly effective in conducting community-based strength training classes resulting in improved functional fitness outcomes. We offer recommendations for organizations seeking to adopt similar approaches.

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