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Fitness and Mobility Exercise Program (FAME)

An Effective Practice

Description

The Fitness and Mobility Exercise Program (FAME) is a group exercise program for older individuals with chronic stroke. Through the program, groups of 9 to 12 adults who suffer from chronic stroke undergo aerobic sessions designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, mobility, leg muscle strength, balance, and hip bone mineral density. Exercise sessions are led by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and exercise instructor. The groups meet for one hour sessions, three times a week, for 19 weeks. Sessions include three workout stations with cardiovascular fitness, mobility, and balance and strengthening activities.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the FAME intervention is to improve the fitness and mobility of individuals who have suffered a stroke.

Results / Accomplishments

An evaluation of the program compared intervention participants to a control group. The intervention group underwent a fitness and mobility exercise (FAME) program designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, mobility, leg muscle strength, balance, and hip bone mineral density. The FAME intervention group had significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, mobility, and paretic leg muscle strength than a control group that received an upper extremity seated exercise intervention. Bone mineral density in the paretic leg declined significantly in the control group, but was maintained in the intervention group. Both groups improved balance and activity participation.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
School of Rehabilitation Services
Primary Contact
Janice Eng
T325-2211WesbrookMall
School of Rehabilitation Sciences
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2B5
Canada
janice.eng@vch.ca
http://neurorehab.med.ubc.ca/fame/
Topics
Health / Heart Disease & Stroke
Health / Physical Activity
Health / Older Adults
Organization(s)
School of Rehabilitation Services
Source
Journal of American Geriatrics Society
Date of publication
2005
Date of implementation
2003
Location
Vancouver, BC
For more details
Target Audience
Older Adults
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