Pilot of a Group-based Program on Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) in Older Persons

Feasibility of the "Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise" Concept Delivered in a Group (gLiFE) of Persons Above 70 Years of Age - a Pilot Study

This feasibility pilot is part of the project "LiFE-is-LiFE" (2017-2020). It is based on the Lifestyle-Integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program by Clemson et al., which has proven effective in improving strength, balance, and physical activity while simultaneously reducing falls in older people via incorporating exercises in recurring daily tasks. However, implementing the original LiFE program includes high financial requirements and human resources. Therefore, LiFE-is-LiFE investigates whether implementing LiFE in groups (gLiFE) is not inferior to the original, individually delivered LiFE in terms of reducing falls per physical activity. In this pilot study, we evaluate our conception of gLiFE for large-scale use in the subsequent, larger LiFE-is-LiFE trial.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Community-dwelling
• Aged 70+

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive impairment
• Neurological condition which severely influences gait and mobility
• Severe visual impairment
• Inability to ambulate independently
• Significant lung disease or chronic heart failure or any other unstable or terminal illness that would preclude the planned exercises