The Effects of a Community-Based Exercise Program on Function and Health in Older Adults: The EnhanceFitness Program

This study examined the effectiveness of participation in EnhanceFitness (EF) (formerly the Lifetime Fitness Program), an established community-based group exercise program for older adults. EF incorporated performance and health status measure testing in year 2000. Initial performance was compared to age and gender-based norms to classify participants as within or at or above normal limits (WNL) or below (BNL). In 2,889 participants who participated in outcomes testing, improvements were observed at 4 and 8 months on performance tests for both subgroups. Participants’ self-rating of health improved at 8 months. All participants improved on performance tests. Implementation of performance-based measures in community studies is possible. Challenges included selecting measures, staff training, collecting performance measures, and deciding on time points for data collection. Older adults can maintain and/or improve physical function through participation in EnhanceFitness.