Article

Replicating the EnhanceFitness physical activity program in Hawai`i's multicultural population, 2007-2010.

Office of Public Health Studies, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, 1960 East-West Rd, Biomed D-209, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
Preventing chronic disease (impact factor: 1.82). 03/2012; 9:E74.
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Despite evidence of the benefits of regular physical activity, many older adults are not physically active. Health professionals are challenged to replicate evidence-based programs to address low levels of physical activity among members of their communities.
EnhanceFitness is an evidence-based group exercise program developed in Seattle to increase the strength, flexibility, and balance of older adults. Hawai`i's Healthy Aging Partnership supported the rural island of Kaua`i to select, adapt, implement, and evaluate EnhanceFitness to increase physical activity among older adult residents (75% Asian/Pacific Islander [API]).
Evaluation measures of the replication of EnhanceFitness included fidelity of EnhanceFitness delivery and participants' attendance, satisfaction with the program, confidence to exercise regularly, and pre-post fitness check measures of physical performance (chair stands, arm curls, and the up-and-go test).
Between July 2007 and December 2010, 223 Kaua`i residents enrolled in EnhanceFitness; 178 (80%) participated at least 4 months and completed the 4-month fitness checks. EnhanceFitness classes were offered with a high degree of fidelity, and both API and white participants significantly improved their physical performance (chair stands, t = -11.06, P < .001; arm curls, t = -6.66, P < .001; and up-and-go test, t = 6.56, P < .001). Participants reported high satisfaction with the program and instructors and high confidence to continue to exercise regularly.
EnhanceFitness is replicable in Hawai`i and increased physical performance among API and white older adults. This case study outlines a replication process that other communities can follow.

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Keywords

223 Kaua`i residents
 
4 months
 
4-month fitness checks
 
75% Asian/Pacific Islander [API]
 
address low levels
 
arm curls
 
case study
 
EnhanceFitness
 
EnhanceFitness classes
 
EnhanceFitness delivery
 
evidence-based group exercise program
 
Hawai`i's Healthy Aging Partnership
 
Health professionals
 
increase physical activity
 
physical activity
 
physical performance
 
pre-post fitness check measures
 
regular physical activity
 
replicate evidence-based programs
 
replication process