Physical activity at home: long-term effectiveness of a community group exercise versus physiotherapist-led home-based physical activity program in middle-aged adults

Physiotherapy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. e407-e408
Author(s):  
N. Freene ◽  
G. Waddington ◽  
W. Chesworth ◽  
R. Davey ◽  
T. Cochrane
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Group Exercise ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Community Group ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
At Home

Longitudinal comparison of a physiotherapist-led, home-based and group-based program for increasing physical activity in community-dwelling middle-aged adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Freene ◽  
Gordon Waddington ◽  
Rachel Davey ◽  
Tom Cochrane
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Group Exercise ◽  
Community Group ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Home Based

Few studies have compared the longer-term effects of physical activity interventions. Here we compare a 6-month physiotherapist-led, home-based physical activity program to a community group exercise program over 2 years. Healthy, sedentary community-dwelling 50–65 year olds were recruited to a non-randomised community group exercise program (G, n = 93) or a physiotherapist-led, home-based physical activity program (HB, n = 65). Outcomes included ‘sufficient’ physical activity (Active Australia Survey), minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity (ActiGraph GT1M), aerobic capacity (2-min step-test), quality of life (SF-12v2), blood pressure, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and body mass index. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Using intention-to-treat analysis, both interventions resulted in significant and sustainable increases in the number of participants achieving ‘sufficient’ physical activity (HB 22 v. 41%, G 22 v. 47%, P ≤ 0.001) and decreases in waist circumference (HB 90 v. 89 cm, G 93 v. 91 cm, P < 0.001) over 2 years. The home-based program was less costly (HB A$47 v. G $84 per participant) but less effective in achieving the benefits at 2 years. The physiotherapist-led, home-based physical activity program may be a low-cost alternative to increase physical activity levels for those not interested in, or unable to attend, a group exercise program. This study has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), Clinical Trial Registration number ACTRN12611000890932.

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