Citation

McNamara AJ, Pavol MJ, Gunter KB. J. Aging Phys. Act. 2013; 21(2): 155-166.

Affiliation

Oregon State University, School of Biological and Population Health Sciences and Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, Corvallis, OR.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

22899826

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Community-based exercise programs are popular for obtaining physical activity among older adults, but the amount of physical activity obtained through such programs is unknown. This study quantified the bone loading forces and levels of cardiovascular activity associated with participation in Better Bones and Balance (BBB), a community based fall and fracture prevention program for older adults. METHODS: Thirty-six postmenopausal women participating in BBB, aged 73.2 ± 7.6 participated in this study. Ground reaction forces (GRF) associated with BBB exercises were evaluated using a force platform. Session and weekly totals of minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total time spent above 55% maximum HR were measured using accelerometers and HR monitors, respectively. RESULTS: BBB exercises produced mean one-leg GRFs between 1.4-2.2 units body weight. Weekly BBB participation was associated with 126 ± 31 minutes of MVPA. CONCLUSION: Activity obtained by BBB participation meets recommended guidelines for skeletal and cardiovascular health.

Language: en