Off-campus WSU users: To download campus access dissertations, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your WSU access ID and password, then click the "Off-campus Download" button below.
Non-WSU users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this dissertation through interlibrary loan.
Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Health Education
First Advisor
Mariane Fahlman
Second Advisor
Jeffrey Martin
Abstract
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine how multimodal delivery of a functional fitness exercise program influences functional outcomes in older adults while examining influences on participation adherence. With a rapid decline in functional fitness capacity in older adults, increasing exercise in older adults is evident. Furthermore, understanding exercise delivery modes and their influences on participation may impact accessibility and adherence in older adults. This study focused on answering the following research questions: “How does a 12-week multimodal functional fitness intervention improve functional fitness outcomes in older adults? What multi-level social factors influence participation in both online and in-person delivery of a 12-week functional fitness intervention in older adults?” This study utilizes a mixed methods approach to attain objective functional fitness measures and subjective qualitative data from one-on-one interviews. Quantitative data analysis via a paired sample t-test will determine mean changes in pre- and post-measures across five domains of functional fitness assessment in 38 participants. Thematic analysis of interview transcriptions in 8 participants for the qualitative one-on-one interview was used to gain insight into participants' participation influences. The quantitative findings of this study highlight that multimodal delivery effectively improves upper and lower body strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and lower extremity flexibility, as measured by the Senior Fitness Test. The qualitative findings give insight into participation adherence barriers and facilitators through participant interviews in older adults, which included several themes related to technological barriers, intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, social support, environmental barriers, and self-efficacy. These insights may be essential in designing multimodal exercise delivery for older adults. Our results illustrate the importance of addressing technological literacy and reducing environmental barriers impacting exercise participation adherence for online access. Our findings highlight promising improvements in functional independence based on criterion-referenced standards for any age, even at low exercise doses.
Recommended Citation
Neda, Robert, "How A 12-Week Multimodal Functional Fitness Intervention For Older Adults Influences Functional Fitness Outcomes While Examining Program Participation Influence" (2025). Wayne State University Dissertations. 4244.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/4244