Health Outcomes Associated with Community Senior Center Fitness Classes: Influence of Activity Type and Baseline Physical Activity Level

Senior centers serve as community anchors for the approximately 57.8 million older adults in the U.S., offering a range of health promotion programs, including exercise classes. This study examined how the type of exercise programs at senior centers influences older adults’ health (mental, physical, and quality of life) and how baseline physical activity levels may influence these changes as part of a statewide health promotion program evaluation in senior centers in Delaware. The exercise programs offered were based on each senior center’s needs, increasing the feasibility and accessibility of these classes. Data was categorized by type of exercise class attended, “aerobic” (n = 63), “muscular strengthening” (n = 44), “balance and flexibility” (n = 20), or mixed class type participation (n = 13). Participants (n = 141; age: 74.4 ± 8.1 yrs; 87.1% female) attended exercise classes at their respective senior centers across the state of Delaware. Participants completed pre-and post-program assessments of perceived mental and physical health, quality of life, and physical activity level. Participants’ baseline physical activity levels were “Inactive” (n = 54), “Moderately Active” (n = 24), or “Active” (n = 45). A linear regression model was used to examine whether health outcomes were predicted by the type of exercise class and baseline physical activity level. Class type, baseline physical activity levels, age, and sex did not significantly predict post-program perceived physical and mental health or quality of life. However, pre-program scores of physical health, mental health, and quality of life significantly predicted their associated post-program health outcome scores. Overall, regardless of exercise class type, age, sex, or pre-participation physical activity, senior center exercise classes positively impact mental health and quality of life amongst older adults. These findings indicate that senior center exercise programs may be a cost-effective public health strategy to support healthy aging, by improving older adults’ mental health and quality of life.