Aims: The transtheoretical model was applied to promote behavioural change and test the effects of a group senior elastic band exercise programme on the functional fitness of community older adults in the contemplation and preparation stages of behavioural change.
Background: Forming regular exercise habits is challenging for older adults. The transtheoretical model emphasizes using different strategies in various stages to facilitate behavioural changes.
Design: Quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-tests on two groups.
Methods: Six senior activity centres were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The data were collected during 2011. A total of 199 participants were recruited and 169 participants completed the study (experimental group n = 84, control group n = 85). The elastic band exercises were performed for 40 minutes, three times per week for 6 months. The functional fitness of the participants was evaluated at baseline and at the third and sixth month of the intervention. Statistical analyses included a two-way mixed design analysis of variance, one-way repeated measures analysis of variance and an analysis of covariance.
Results: All of the functional fitness indicators had significant changes at post-tests from pre-test in the experimental group. The experimental group had better performances than the control group in all of the functional fitness indicators after three months and 6 months of the senior elastic band exercises.
Conclusion: The exercise programme provided older adults with appropriate strategies for maintaining functional fitness, which improved significantly after the participants exercising regularly for 6 months.
Keywords: community; elastic band; functional fitness; nursing; older adults; physical activity; transtheoretical model.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.