Exercise Classes Offer Group Support

Source: Tufts University
March 28, 2003

If you haven't participated in group exercise since gym class in high school, you may want to give yoga, aqua aerobics, or weight training classes a new look. An Australian study published in Preventive Medicine shows that women who trained in a group exercise class were better able than solo exercisers to stick to a regular fitness routine.

Group vs solo exercisers

Researchers recruited 126 sedentary women aged 40 to 65, and divided them into two groups. One group attended 6 months of supervised exercise sessions 3 days a week, during which they learned how to warm up and cool down, stretch for flexibility, and properly perform several types of exercises. The other group received written instructions and an aerobic exercise videotape. Both groups were further divided into programs of either moderate or vigorous exercise. Six months into the study, the group exercisers switched to a home-based program as well.

At several points during the 18-month study the researchers assessed how many participants were still exercising, how hard they were exercising, and, if they had dropped out, the reasons they gave for quitting the program. The researchers found that those who started the study with group instruction were more likely than the other women to have stuck with the program. And not surprisingly, the women who were instructed to exercise at a moderate level were more successful at following their exercise routines than those who were expected to exercise vigorously.

Why choose group instruction?

The authors offer several possible reasons as to why the women who started the study with group-based exercise were more successful than the others in the study in sticking with the program. Group classes offer social and moral support; group camaraderie apparently helps keep individual members motivated. In addition, it's easier for fitness professionals to individualize an exercise routine and monitor progress when the participants are attending a class, and it is also easier for exercisers to get immediate feedback on their progress.

In this study, the second most frequent reason given for not exercising (other than 'too sore') was 'no time.' Because those who trained at an exercise center were required to be there at a particular time, it's possible that they were more successful than the home exercisers in making exercise a daily priority.

Advice to consumers

The results of this study suggest that an exercise class, especially one designed for seniors, may make good health sense, at least until regular exercise becomes a steady habit. Many seniors report that they prefer to exercise alone - either walking or doing solitary chores like gardening - but exercise classes that offer both instruction and moral support are a good way to jump-start a more active lifestyle.

Not sure where to sign up for exercise classes? Many senior centers and Y's offer programs for older exercisers. Check also with your healthcare provider and the local hospital to see what is available in your area.

Source

• Controlled comparison of retention and adherence in home vs center-initiated exercise interventions in women ages 40-65 years: the SWEAT Study. KL. Cox, V. Burke, TJ. Gorely,  et al., Prev Med, 2003, vol. 36, pp. 17--29

Related Links
Aerobic Dance Classes Help Keep Seniors Steady
Regular Exercise Keeps Women on Track
Age and Illness Needn't Be Barriers to Exercise
Can Exercise Help Protect You From Alzheimer's Disease?
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