Strength training in older adults: an empowering intervention.

PURPOSE This study evaluated the benefits of adding a psychological empowerment intervention (PEI) to traditional strength training (TST) on social cognitive variables in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS Thirty-eight participants were randomly assigned to either a PEI or a TST intervention for 6 wk. Before random assignment and following training, participants completed measures of self-efficacy for upper and lower body strength as well as the desire to be able to lift specific amounts of weight. Both treatments involved two sessions per week of center-based training and one session per week of home-based training. The PEI condition also included a group-mediated intervention that was designed to increase self-efficacy for physical strength and the desire for upper and lower body strength. RESULTS General linear models on difference scores revealed that the two groups experienced differential gains in the desire for upper body strength (P = 0.023, effect size (ES) = 0.79) and were marginally different in gains for upper body strength self-efficacy (P = 0.065, ES = 0.63). On a four-point scale, the adjusted mean (+/-SE) differences for the PEI group on the desire for upper body strength was 0.71 (+/-0.12) as compared to 0.27 (+/-0.13) for the TST group, whereas the PEI group's improvement in self-efficacy for upper body strength was 25.70 (+/-3.02) as compared to 17.18 (+/-3.19) for the TST group. CONCLUSIONS Empowerment-based exercise programs may be particularly motivating for older adults by creating a more meaningful physical activity experience for them.

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