The effect of prescribed and self-prescribed, self-monitored exercise programs on the physical fitness and psychological well-being of older adults
Date
1992
Authors
Graham, Tessa Rae
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Abstract
There has been much interest surrounding the possible existence of a mutually positive relationship between physical fitness and psychological well-being. This nine week, pre/post-test experiment investigated the effects of a self-monitored, prescribed and a self-monitored, self-prescribed exercise program on the physical fitness and the psychological well-being of individuals 50 - 90 years of age. Fifty-seven subjects (males=30, females=27) with an average age of 68.50 years completed the study. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1, the Control Group, was requested to continue with their present level of physical activity over the nine week period. Group 2, the self-prescribed experimental group, was requested to develop and monitor their own exercise program using exercises from the book Recipes for Fitness After 50: Personalized Exercise Programs (PEP) ! (Bell, 1990). Group 3, the prescribed experimental group, was assigned specific exercises to be performed from the same book. All subjects self-monitored their participation. Physical fitness levels were measured by cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance and flexibility scores on the Post 50 Physical Performance Test (Bell, Collis and Hoshizaki, 1985). Psychological well-being levels were measured by self-esteem, depression, personal control, symptoms of aging and social satisfaction scores on the Self Evaluation of Life Function (SELF) Scale (Linn and Linn, 1984). A multivariate analysis of variance showed that there were some time and sex differences but no group differences. Males in Group 3 significantly (p<.01) improved in Modified Push-Ups while females in Group 3 significantly (p<.01) improved on the Two Minute On-the-Spot Walk. Males in Group 2 showed no significant (p<.05) physical fitness improvement; however, the females significantly improved in Curl-Ups (p<.01), Push-Ups (p<.01) and Sit and Reach (p<.05). Males in Group 1 significantly improved in the Two Minute On-theĀ-Spot Walk (p<.01), Curl-Ups (p<.01) and Push-Ups (p<.05) while females in Group 1 improved in Push-Ups (p<. 01) . Group 3 females were the only subjects to experience a significant improvement on a psychological well-being measure; significantly (p<.05) increasing their level of self-esteem. Overall, this study offers limited support for the existence of a positive relationship between physical fitness and psychological well-being in older adults.
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UN SDG 5: Gender Equality