Retention in Intergenerational Exercise Classes for Older Adults: A Mixed-Method Research Study

Autor/inn/en	Kim, Eun Hae; Chee, Kyong Hee; DeStefano, Clay; Broome, Anna; Bell, Brenda
Titel	Retention in Intergenerational Exercise Classes for Older Adults: A Mixed-Method Research Study
Quelle	In: Educational Gerontology, 47 (2021) 6, S.269-284 (16 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Kim, Eun Hae)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0360-1277
DOI	10.1080/03601277.2021.1923132
Schlagwörter	Persistence; Intergenerational Programs; Physical Activities; Older Adults; Social Support Groups; Intervention; Attitudes + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausdauer; Älterer Erwachsener; Social support; Soziale Unterstützung; Attitude; Einstellung; Verhalten
Abstract	Community-based exercise classes may enhance health outcomes for older adults, but they tend to have high drop-out rates. Given age integration theory, structuring social support opportunities may be one effective solution for this problem. The objectives of this study are to determine 1) if the proposed 'Intergenerational Exercise Buddy Program' increases the level of social support for older participants, and 2) if an intervention group has a higher retention rate compared to a control group. Of the 51 participants recruited, 34 were older adults (aged 65+; mean age = 74.6 years). Randomly selected 18 older adults were paired with 17 younger adults (aged 18-25; mean age = 23.2 years) constituting an intervention group; 16 remaining older adults comprised a control group. The study participants attended 8 weekly classes of their choice between Chair Yoga and Easy Tai Chi. Using mixed methods with a pre-post, quasi-experimental design, this study found that participant sense of social support did not change significantly. Nevertheless, no older adult participant dropped out. The older adult intervention group had a greater level of class participation than the control group (attending 7.3 vs. 6.2 out of 8 classes). Analysis of focus group interview data revealed multiple themes including the perceived value of social connections and interactions in classes (e.g., enjoyment) and the crucial role of exercise buddies in discouraging absence (e.g., accountability). Practical implications include the potential benefits of designing community-based exercise programs with structured opportunities for cross-generational interactions to help motivate participants to sustain their participation. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01