Click this link for video:  http://campbellmedia.org/video/13828/

Regular physical activity is extremely important for the aging adult.  Scientific studies have proven that exercise can help prevent or manage chronic diseases, improve cognitive functions, decrease falls, and improve one’s mental health (Centers for Disease Control).  Thirty-two percent of Kentuckians are physically inactive; specifically, in Campbell County, 28% of adults are not physically active (Kentucky Health Facts, 2018).  To address the physical inactivity rate, plus help motivate seniors unable to meet for exercise programs during the pandemic, the Campbell County Extension Service taught two online exercise series: Arthritis Exercise Program and Smart Moves.

Utilizing the research based, Arthritis Foundation’s Exercise Program, the Campbell County Extension Service offered via Zoom, eight sessions over a month-long arthritis exercise program, to 22 participants.   The exercise segments were offered to the eight Northern Kentucky counties. In collaboration with Campbell Media, sessions were recorded and edited to then be viewed on the local public television channel or online. Each segment also included health tips from various University of Kentucky curricula: Home for the Holidays, Plate it Up, and Get Moving Kentucky.  Using Qualtrics, end of the series evaluations showed the following as a result of the program: 

1. 95% of the participants became more physically active, had improved joint mobility, said their overall health status had improved, and had become more comfortable with using the Zoom video platform with the program.
2. 90% said their balance improved. 
3. 86% said their pain and stiffness decreased.
4. 76% said their strength increased because of the program.

One participant stated, “I am stiff and sore most days. That has disappeared while in this class.”   Another stated, “Lately, it’s been easier for me to open a bottle of water because I seem to have more strength in my hand.  In the beginning of our exercise time, it was a little tricky to stand on one foot while lifting the other.  Lately, I don’t have to hold onto anything while I stand on one foot for a short period of time. My fingers seem to bend better now than before our classes.” 

The Campbell County Extension Service also teamed up with Kenton County Extension to teach the six-session program, Smart Moves, to 17 participants. Each session included low impact exercises from the Arthritis Exercise Program and informational tips to keep your heart healthy from the National Institute of Health and the American Heart Association.  Regular participants in the ongoing series were sent a set of stretchy exercise bands from the Extension Office to add additional resistance with the exercises and build strength.  They were also sent booklets to increase their skill and knowledge on the important topic of brain health. The classes were taught via Zoom and recorded at the Campbell Media studio who then edited the classes to be viewed on Campbell County’s public television station and online.  End of the series Qualtrics evaluations were utilized with the following results:

1. 100% of the participants stated that due to the program they became more physically active and found the general information about health and exercise shared during the series to be useful.
2. 100% also stated that they felt more comfortable using stretchy bands to increase resistance with the exercises and planned on continuing to do these exercises on their own by watching the recorded series on television or online. 
3. 94% stated their overall perceived health status improved, they now have some exercises to target special areas of need with their physical conditions, and that they became more comfortable with using the Zoom video platform.
4. 82% said their joint mobility had improved.
5. 76% stated that they had done the exercises shared at other times outside of class and that their pain and stiffness decreased.

  Some closing comments from the participants included the following:  1. “These sessions were a great way to ease back into an exercise regimen after being so sedentary during COVID and the quarantine.  Thank you for making this available to us in our homes.”  2. “All the information and exercises have been helpful. The pain in my bad knee has greatly decreased to the extent that I am not using the ACE knee sleeve…a wonderful improvement!”