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Enriching the Lives of Mature Adults |
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News
New Research Shows Active Living Every Day a Success at Activating Sedentary Adults
August 2, 2006 - A study published in the American Journal of Public Health in July finds that sedentary older adult participants in the Active Living Every Day program significantly increased their daily physical activity habits after completing the program. The research opens the door for community groups, senior residences and others to use the program to introduce sedentary adults to a physically active lifestyle.
The study showed that participants in the program increased moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity by an average of 2.12 hours per week and increased total activity by 3.84 hours per week. Additionally, participants in the study noticed decreases in depressive symptoms, stress levels, and body mass index and increases in satisfaction with body appearance and function.
"Our initial work is demonstrating that evidence-based physical activity programs can be successfully translated into community settings. We are reaching diverse populations, and we are seeing impressive increases in physical activity among program participants," says Sara Wilcox, PhD, associate professor at the University of South Carolina and lead author of the paper describing the results of the study.
Active Living Every Day is a 20-session behavior change program developed by The Cooper Institute and Human Kinetics in which participants learn to create and maintain effective physical activity habits through techniques such as overcoming barriers, setting realistic goals, identifying support mechanisms, and rewarding positive behavior. The program is particularly effective among older adults because it addresses the participants' diverse needs-from those who have never been physically active and may be intimidated by fitness equipment to those with physical challenges.
OASIS has seen more than 1,000 older adults have significant results through the program. Reports of decreases in depressive symptoms and stress levels and increases in sense of self-efficacy and social support for their new, physically active lifestyles affirm the results found at other sites around the country.
Building on the support and friendships people find in Active Living Every Day, OASIS has also seen many participants go on to become facilitators of the program. "We have found that, with the right training, these older adults are the ideal teachers for their peers and are able to encourage and support them in the class," says Marcia Kerz, president of OASIS Institute.
The Active Living Every Day findings were part of the Active for Life study. Active for Life is a grant program established to learn how to deliver research-based physical activity programs to large numbers of middle-aged and older adults, and to sustain such programs through existing community institutions. Funding for the program comes from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Active for Life will continue to monitor the program's sustainability over several years.
OASIS has offered Active Living Every Day since 2003 through a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in St. Louis, Pittsburgh and San Antonio. The program has since expanded to OASIS centers in Los Angeles, Houston and Indianapolis.
For more information about the OASIS program click here.
The study report is published in the July issue of the American Journal of Public Health (pdf).
For more information on Active Living Every Day, visit www.ActiveLiving.info or call 800-747-4457, x2226. Active for Life information may be found at www.activeforlife.info or 979-458-4202.
OASIS is a national not-for-profit education organization that strengthens communities by providing lifelong learning and service opportunities that inspire mature adults to pursue vibrant, healthy, productive and meaningful lives.
For more information: Janice Branham (314) 862-2933 ext. 229 jbranham @ oasisnet . org OASIS News Releases April 28, 2008 OASIS Video to be Broadcast on National Television April 1, 2008 OASIS Receives $2.5 Million from The Atlantic Philanthropies Supporting Business Plan for Expansion October 10, 2007 OASIS Marks 25th Anniversary at National Conference, unveils five-year business plan to increase its impact March 14, 2007 AT&T Foundation Makes $1 Million Technology Grant to The OASIS Institute March 7, 2007 OASIS Receives National Leadership Award from NCOA February 8, 2007 OASIS Plans to Expand Programs to Reach a Broader Audience Atlantic Philanthropies Grant To Support Expansion Plan February 5, 2007 OASIS Institute Names Five Centers of Excellence for 2007-08 November 6, 2006 Marylen Mann Receives Distinguished Alumni Award from Washington University October 30, 2006 OASIS Institute Receives National Award from HHS for Promoting Healthy Lifestyle August 2, 2006 New Research Shows Active Living Every Day a Success at Activating Sedentary Adults June 21, 2006 Four New Directors Elected to the Board of The OASIS Institute April 11, 2006 OASIS Wins National RespectAbility Program of Excellence Award Recognizing Promising Practices in Civic Engagement April 11, 2006 OASIS Awarded $45,000 Grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for Intergenerational Healthy Lifestyles Program January 24, 2006 OASIS Receives $778,424 in Grants from the Missouri Foundation for Health to Improve Physical and Mental Health for Mature Adults January 18, 2006 OASIS President Participates in White House Conference on Aging December 5, 2005 OASIS Founder Marylen Mann Receives AARP Impact Award August 25, 2005 SBC Foundation Funds OASIS Project to Expand Workforce Development and Community Service June 27, 2005 Survey Finds Older Americans, Baby Boomers Want Jobs With a Purpose April 5, 2005 Department Store Helps City Seniors Find Haven to Continue Learning March 16, 2005 AoA's You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging Campaign Recognizes Joint Project of OASIS and San Antonio Partners March 5, 2005 More Seniors Use Technology to Stay Connected New study shows Internet use by mature adults up 6 percent (age 50-64); 9 percent (age 65+) |
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