Strong People Strength Training Study

The Strong People Strength Training study aims to assess whether a community-based progressive strength training program can improve risk factors for diabetes and heart disease in older rural adults.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a twice weekly, 12-week progressive strength training program, Strong People Strength Training, on cardiometabolic risk factors in a pragmatic, community-based randomized intervention trial among rural men and women 50 and older. We hypothesize that individuals randomized to the intervention group will demonstrate statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors as well as physical function, quality of life, and physical activity compared to those randomized to the delayed intervention control group.

Heart Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes, Sedentary Lifestyle, Overweight and Obesity, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Fatigue

Group 1 participants attend twice weekly progressive strength training classes with CPR certified and Strong People trained educators in fall 2019 for 12 weeks. Group 2 participants receive twice weekly progressive strength training classes in January 2020 for 12 weeks. During the first 12 weeks of the study Group 2 participants do not receive these classes. (Delayed)

Group 1 participants attend twice weekly progressive strength training classes with CPR certified and Strong People trained educators in fall 2019 for 12 weeks. Intervention Group.

Group 2 participants receive twice weekly progressive strength training classes in January 2020 for 12 weeks. Delayed Intervention Group.

The hemoglobin A1c test tells you your average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. It's also called HbA1c.

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.

The American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 score is comprised of seven cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors: physical activity, healthy diet score, blood glucose, BMI, blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking; each risk factor is categorized as ideal, intermediate, or poor. Minimum value is 0, Maximum value is 14. Higher scores on the scale represent a better outcome.

Self-report physical activity measured using CHAMPS Activities Questionnaire for Older Adults. Questionnaire includes 41 activity questions and participant reports on number of hours per week involved in each activity using possible responses: less than 1 hour; 1-2.5 hours; 3-4.5 hours; 5-6.5 hours; 7-8.5 hours; 9 or more hours. More hours reported corresponds with more time in physical activity.

Measured with self report using the Visual Analogue Scale to Evaluate Fatigue Severity (VAS-F). This validated scale consists of 18 items relating to the experience of fatigue. Each item the participant responds on a scale of 0 to 10. For example with 0 being not at all tired and 10 being extremely tired.

Change from Baseline Depression using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) at 12 Weeks

Measured with self report using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Score ranges from 0 to 60 with with higher scores indicating the presence of more depression symptoms.

Measured with self report using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). Score ranges from 0 to 24 with greater scores reflecting more depression symptoms.

Anxiety measured by questionnaire using the Beck Anxiety Inventory which is a 21-question multiple-choice self-report inventory that is used for measuring the severity of anxiety. Scores range from 0 to 63 with higher scores indicating more anxiety.

Anxiety measured by questionnaire using the General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) which consists of 7 questions with responses from Not at all, Several Days, More than half hte days, and Nearly every day. Scores range from 0 to 21 with higher scores reflecting more anxiety.

Measured with self report using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Scores range from 0 to 40 with higher scores reflecting more perceived stress.

Inclusion Criteria: Age 50 or older Willing and able to get health care provider (HCP) authorization if required (PAR-Q answered yes to any question or 70 and older) Exclusion Criteria: Strength trained in last 12 months Previous enrollment in Strong People Enrolled or planning to enroll in lifestyle program Cognitive impairment Unable to obtain physician authorization