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The aim of the study was to compare two coaching channels-a combination of telephone and face-to-face coaching (combined phone and face-to-face) versus telephone coaching only (phone)-on exercise performances in a home-based low-intensity program. Multiple regression models were used to examine if the two coaching channels were associated with different 3-month posttest exercise performances. Individuals with the combined phone and face-to-face coaches had better exercise performances at 3-month posttest, compared to those who received phone coaching only. The evaluation suggests that, in a home-based, low-intensity training program that has been demonstrated to benefit high-risk, ethnically diverse older adults, face-to-face coaching appears to be a more powerful motivator than a phone-based approach only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Healthy Moves for Aging Well program piloted a home-based, low-intensity strength exercise program that targeted a nursing home certifiable, ethnically diverse sample of community-residing adults aged 65 and older. This study examined the effectiveness of the Healthy Moves program in reducing participants' number of falls, fear of falling, depression, and pain. Results indicated that participants (n = 338) had statistically significant declines in the number of falls and level of pain. These declines were found among participants who improved their exercise performance. This pilot suggests that a modest intervention that couples behavior change with seated exercise can have a positive outcome on a sample of older adults who have high levels of functional impairment and lack a regular exercise regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]