GALM on the long term. Long term effects (6-9 years) of the Groningen Active Living Model (GALM) on physical fitness outcomes in adults aged 55 years and older.

Hannawi, N. (Nansi) (2009) GALM on the long term. Long term effects (6-9 years) of the Groningen Active Living Model (GALM) on physical fitness outcomes in adults aged 55 years and older. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.

Text Hannawi.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (13MB)

Abstract

Objective: To determine the long term effects ( 6-9 years) of participation in the GALM program on physical fitness outcomes in older adults. Method: Subjects from rural and non-rural cities in the Netherlands were assigned in the GALM group (still participating in GALM; n=123; mean age= 67.7 years), ex-GALM group (stopped with GALM; n=41; mean age= 67 years) and the sedentary group (a group of older adults who never participated in GALM or any other physical activity program during the last 5 years and have a SOC score of stage 1,2 or 3; n=16; mean age= 65 years). Six items of the GFE test were used to measure physical fitness outcomes. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences between the different groups on all of the six items of the GFE test (p < .05). In particular, the GALM group scored statistically significant better on manual dexterity (U= 486.5; p < .001), reaction time (U= 509.0; p < .01), grip strength (U= 522.5; p < .01) and walking endurance (U= 173.5; p < .001) compared to the sedentary group. The ex-GALM group scored statistically significant better on reaction time (U= 167.0; p < .01), sit-and-reach (U= 154.0; p < .05) and walking endurance (U= 87.0; p < .001) compared to the sedentary group. The ex-GALM group scored also better on shoulder flexibility compared to the GALM-group (U= 1139.0; p < .001). Statistically significant differences were found between the GALM group and the sedentary group on BMI (p < .01) and functional limitations (p < .001). There was also a statistically significant difference between the ex -GALM group and the sedentary group on BMI (p < .001) and functional limitations (p < .001). No statistically significant differences were found between the GALM and the ex-GALM group. No statistically significant differences were found between the low and high BMI group on the physical fitness outcomes. Comparing a non-limitation group with a limitation group, showed a statistically significant difference only in walking endurance ( p < .05). Conclusion: Subjects who are still participating in GALM have a higher physical fitness status compared to sedentary older adults. Long term participation in GALM is therefore effective in maintaining higher levels of physical fitness compared to a sedentary population of older adults.

Item Type:	Thesis (Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Greef, Mathieu de and Boer, Esther de and Dijkstra, Yldau
Faculty:	Medical Sciences
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2020 10:58
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2020 10:58
URI:	https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1808

Actions (login required)

View Item