Generations Exercising Together to Improve Fitness (GET FIT): A Pilot Study Designed to Increase Physical Activity and Improve Health-Related Fitness in Three Generations of Women
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2005
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J013v40n03_06
Abstract
A 6-month home-based (HB) physical activity program was compared to a control (CTL) condition in terms of effect on physical activity and health-related fitness in three generations of women (daughter/mother/maternal grandmother). Volunteers were randomly assigned to a HB or CTL condition. HB participants (n = 28) were asked to participate in lifestyle, aerobic, muscular strength, and flexibility activities at least 3 times per week and they completed 73% of the recommended PA bouts. CTL condition participants (n = 9) were asked to continue their usual pattern of physical activity. Changes in physical activity were measured pre- and post-intervention using the Physical Best questionnaire and pedometer step counts (3-day average). Changes in health-related fitness were assessed using Fitnessgram tests. Group × Time interactions were significant for changes in participation in flexibility activity (d/wk) and steps/day, indicating that the HB group experienced significant positive changes in the expected direction (+305% and +37%, respectively), while the CTL group regressed (−15% and −13%, respectively). The G × T interaction for mile time was significant, although not in the expected direction (CTL group < by 14% and HB group < by 5%). Findings should be interpreted with caution due to several limitations of the study, but several suggestions are made for more effectively studying this topic in the future.
Publication Information
Ransdell, Lynda B.; Robertson, LeeAnn; Ornes, Lynne; and Moyer-Mileur, Laurie. (2005). "Generations Exercising Together to Improve Fitness (GET FIT): A Pilot Study Designed to Increase Physical Activity and Improve Health-Related Fitness in Three Generations of Women". Women & Health, 40(3), 77-94.