The effects of an exercise behavior development program for elderly in Waeng Yai District, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aims to compare exercise behaviors, weight, waist and leg strength of the experimental group  before and after experiment, and  between the experimental and comparison groups after experiment. The sample consists of 60 socially isolated elderly individuals, aged 60-75 years, lived in Waeng Yai District, Khon Kaen Province, was purposively selected  and randomly selected from the Wang Yai subdistrict for the experimental group and the Mai Na Piang subdistrict for the comparison group, 30 persons in each group. The experimental tools were Exercise Behavior Development Program for Elderly based on the Pender's Health Promotion Model, the  LINE application, and an exercise record form.  Data collection tools consist of  a questionnaire with 3 parts 1) general data, 2) health data, and 3) exercise behavior with content validity index of 0.67 and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.90.  Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test, and Mann-Whitney U test.  The findings revealed  that after experiment, the experimental group had significantly higher exercise behaviors than before experiment, and the comparison group, and had significantly higher leg strength than before experiment, and the comparison group at p < .05.