Downloaded from http://journals.lww.com/acsm-tj by BhDMf5ePHKav1zEoum1tQfN4a+kJLhEZgbsIHo4XMi0hCywCX1AWnYQp/IlQrHD3i3D0OdRyi7TvSFl4Cf3VC4/OAVpDDa8K2+Ya6H515kE= on 01/07/2022 Effects of StrongPeople Strong Bodies on Functional Fitness: A Community-Based Randomized Trial Rebecca A. Seguin-Fowler, 1 Michelle Grocke, 2,3 Meredith L. Graham, 1 Dawn Tarabochia, 2 Urshila Sriram, 1 and Galen D. Eldridge 1 BACKGROUND A large body of evidence demonstrates the beneficial impacts of strength training on functional fitness, bone density, and mus- cle mass among older adults (1). Impor- tantly, improvements in musculoskeletal function can delay the onset of disability and dependence (2). Despite the numerous benefits of strength training, particularly for older adults, less than 25% of US adults older than 55 yr meet muscle strengthening guidelines, and rates are lower for those who are female, are older than 65 yr, and/ or live in rural areas (3). These three demo- graphic groups also are more likely to have functional limitations (4,5). Many resistance training studies with older adults use exercise machines. Although these studies easily facilitate resistance pro- gression, they are less accessible for use in rural community settings because of space and cost considerations. Some studies have used basic equipment (e.g., ankle weights, dumbbells) in resistance training with older adults and observed improvements in strength, balance, physical function, bone density, flexibility, and/or body composition (6–18), although two studies found limited or no improvements in strength (19) or bone density (20). Of the studies that used basic equipment with older adults, only six were randomized trials (6,8,9,14, 15,20). In rural communities, the model most feasible for long-term program maintenance is having classes using basic equipment and led by community educators rather than exer- cise specialists. Of the six randomized trials using basic equip- ment, five were led by exercise specialists (i.e., physical therapists) or members of the research team (6,8,14,15,20). The community-based StrongPeople Strong Bodies (SPSB) strength training program holds promise to address this gap in research. SPSB was developed based on the body of research on progressive strength training among older adults. The curriculum was designed to support community educators in leading 1 Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX; 2 Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT; 3 MSU Exten- sion, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT Address for correspondence: Rebecca A. Seguin-Fowler, Ph.D., RDN., L.D., CSCS., Texas A&M AgriLife Research, 600 John Kimborough Boulevard, Suite 512, College Station, TX 77843-2142 (E-mail: r.seguin-fowler@ag.tamu.edu). 2379-2868/0604/e000178 Translational Journal of the ACSM Copyright © 2021 by the American College of Sports Medicine ABSTRACT Purpose: Despite the established benefits of strength training among older adults, access to strength training facilities in rural communities is limited. Local commu- nity educator–led classes using affordable equipment that can be easily stored and moved (e.g., handheld weights) offer a feasible approach for improving strength training access among older rural adults; however, very few studies have examined the effects of these types of community-based classes led by nonexercise special- ists. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a community-based progressive strength training program led by Cooperative Extension county educa- tors on functional fitness and physical activity among older rural adults. Methods: Adults 50 yr and older recruited from rural Montana counties were randomized to a 12-wk, 1-h, twice-weekly, progressive strength training program, or a delayed in- tervention control group. Data were collected at baseline and postintervention via accelerometry, functional fitness tests, and questionnaires about physical activity, social support, and exercise attitudes. Linear mixed models and general additive models, adjusted for sex and age, were used to assess pre–post changes in out- comes between groups. Results: Intervention participants (n = 83) experienced sig- nificantly greater improvements in aerobic endurance, upper body strength, lower body strength, exercise-related social support from friends, and attitudes toward ex- ercise (all P < 0.01) compared with control participants (n = 84); improvements were both statistically significant and functionally meaningful. Conclusions: The present study provides strong evidence in support of strength training for older adults in community settings, led by nonexercise professionals, to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, social support for physical activity, and attitudes toward exercise. Trial Registration: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: [NCT04203563]). http://www.acsm-tj.org Translational Journal of the ACSM 1 Original Investigation Copyright © 2021 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.