Physical activity is positively related to physical function. Women aged 50 and older may have chronic or age-related conditions that limit their ability to remain physical active. It is unclear if a water-based exercise program provides a safe and effective alternative to landbased exercise. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of Golden Waves, a water-based exercise program designed to improve and/or maintain functional activities of daily living on land. Participants included American and Japanese women aged 50 and older. Two evaluation approaches including the Logic Model and the Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) approach provided the method framework for eight study questions. The Logic Model identified stakeholders and the CIPP approach focused the evaluation on eight study questions. The context component identified new stakeholders for program health promotion. Evaluation components, input and process applied both formative and summative questions to examine developmental program designs. Product effectiveness measured in America resulted in significant improvements (p < .05) for water exercise participants (n = 44) for assessments: static balance (right and left legs), sit-and-reach flexibility, stair climb, and body weight. Exercise participants also improved (p < .001) in: dynamic balance, sit-to-stand, steps to complete a walk, agility, stair climb, and biceps (arm) curl. No significant changes were noted for the comparison group (n = 17), except for steps to complete the distance and stair climb speed, (p < .05). No injuries were reported during the program and adherence was 94%. During the sustainability evaluation component, successful instructional strategies linked to motivated exercise participants were identified. Product transportability evaluation indicated that Japanese exercise participants (n = 3) significantly improved skills over time (p < .05) for: stair climb, sit-and-reach flexibility, speed walk speed, and sit-to-stand. Participants attending more than one day per week had significantly greater gains during most assessments and baseline scores were a significant predictor variable for gains in the back scratch right arm, dynamic balance and sit-to-stand. Age was a significant predictor variable for: speed walk number of steps, stair climb, sit-to stand, and dynamic balance. No injuries were reported during the program. Mary Sanders, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno and Director of WaterFit®/Golden Waves®; Associate Editor of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal and a Fellow member of the American College of Sports Medicine; Advisory board member for International Council on Active Aging; columnist The Journal of Active Aging; Research member, Thera-Band® Advisory Board & Research Committee; serves on a number of committees for the Medical Fitness Association; Editor/co-author of YMCA Water Fitness for Health and developer of WaterFit® and the Speedo® Aquatic Fitness Systems. Mary has been active for over 20 years conducting research and developing curriculums in exercise sciences & leadership while training instructors and publishing internationally. She can be contacted at www.waterfit.com or marysanders@prodigy.net. Mary is certified as a Health & Fitness Instructor by ACE and ACSM and a continuing education provider for a number of certification organizations.
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