Testing the Senior Exercise Self‐efficacy Project (SESEP) for Use with Urban Dwelling Minority Older Adults

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To test the feasibility and effectiveness of the Senior Exercise Self-efficacy Project (SESEP). DESIGN: A feasibility study using a randomized control trial. SAMPLE: The total sample included 166 persons, with a mean age of 73 years (SD=8.2 years), the majority of whom were female (81%), African American (72%), unmarried (86%), had at least a high school education (64%), and were retired (77%). There were 100 participants in the intervention group and 66 in the comparison group. METHODS: The SESEP was a combined physical activity and efficacy-enhancing intervention for community-dwelling minority older adults. The primary outcomes included self-efficacy, outcome expectations, exercise, and overall physical activity, and the secondary outcomes were mental and physical health-related quality of life, depressive symptoms, pain, fear of falling, mobility, and chair rise time. Data were collected at baseline and following the 12-week intervention. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in outcome expectations (p=.02), time spent in exercise (p=.04), and depressive symptoms (p=.02). Overall, there was a 77% rate of participation in classes. CONCLUSION: Although there was good participation in the SESEP among minority older adults, the primary outcomes were only minimally supported and there was even less support for the secondary outcomes.