THE FEASIBILITY AND EFFICACY OF AN EXERGAMING PROGRAM IN UNDERSERVED URBAN COMMUNITIES

摘要

>Purpose: Low levels of regular leisure-time physical activity were noted among African Americans. The study tested the feasibility and efficacy of an exergaming program in this underserved communities. >Methods: The study was a single-group with pre-and-post test design. Twelve older African-American (64.17 ± 6.74 years old) engaged in a Wii Fit U exergaming program once or twice a week for 24 sessions over 14 weeks. Community health workers (CHWs) implemented the program through coaching and supporting mechanism to motivate participants to exercise in the two public housing health centers. Outcomes included functional mobility (muscular strength, flexibility, dynamic balance), depressive symptoms, and quality of life. Descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used. Semi-structural individual interviews were also conducted. >Results: After the program, participants showed statistically significant improvements in lower-body flexibility (p = .012), and physical domain of health-related quality of life (p = .005). Participants had comparable outcomes of upper-body strength and flexibility, lower-body strength, dynamic balance, depressive symptoms, and mental domain of health-related quality of life before and after the program. Four themes were identified related to the benefits of the CHW-led exergaming program: (1) improving health; (2) feeling enjoyment; (3) getting connected; and (4) knowing you. >Conclusion: CHWs played a significant role in influencing and improving health outcomes in the underprivileged communities. The CHW-delivered exergaming program provided an easy-to-implement and potentially effective intervention that could be used in the community-directed center to improve health and well-being in the underserved population.