The Effectiveness of Acercise, a Community-Based Exercise Program; A Pilot Study
Research Report
PRESENTATION TYPE: Poster
SECTION: Education
TITLE: The Effectiveness of ACErcise, a Community-based Exercise Program; a Pilot Study
AUTHOR DETIALS:
AUTHORS (LAST NAME, FIRST NAME): Hollman, ATC/L, SPT, Kaitlyn; Jargstorf, ATC/L, SPT, Jordayn; Steinke, PTA, SPT, Madalyn; Turner, SPT, Kendall. Kessler, MHS, PT, Mary; Whetstone, PT, DPT, SCS, Katelyn; Liang, PT, PhD, Ling-Yin.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Kaitlyn Hollman, kh277@evansville.edu
INSTITUTION: Physical Therapy, University of Evansville, Evansville, IN United States.
ABSTRACT BODY:
Purpose/Hypothesis: Individuals with neurologic deficits require exercise to promote neuroplastic change.Literature suggests that exercise reaching the threshold of 70-80% of heart rate reserve (HRR) is strongly related to functional ability and neuroplasticity. However, the literature reveals a lack of data on community exercise programs and their impact on neuroplastic changes. This study examined pilot data from ACErcise to see if exercises utilized in this community-based exercise program reach these levels. ACErcise is a free, 8-week, community-based exercise program that provides individuals with neurologic deficits an opportunity to increase physical activity, develop relationships, and integrate back into the community. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ACErcise is challenging participants at an exercise intensity high enough to encourage neuroplastic change and improve long term outcomes.
Number of Subjects: 5
Materials and Methods: The study included 5 participants, 4 males and 1 female, with diagnoses of Parkinson Disease, stroke, or cerebral palsy. All participants completed a cycle ergometer Monark Sub Maximal HR Effort graded exercise stress test, which determined their maximum HR. The Karvonen formula was used to calculate each participant’s ideal HRR range. An adjustment of 15 bpm was subtracted for any participant on a beta blocker. Subjects then participated in ACErcise which occurs weekly for 50 minutes. Sessions consisted of cardiovascular endurance, a strength/balance activity, and a functional game. Participants wore Bluetooth compatible HR monitors synced to a central iPad via the OnBeat application throughout each session. Average HRs for all activities in each session were recorded. The research is ongoing.
Results: For the five weeks of collected data, results show that only 36% of patients met their target HR for the cardio/endurance portion of the class, 38% for the strength and balance portion, and 46% for the functional game.
Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that the ACErcise participants werenot collectively meeting the intensity threshold to encourage neuroplastic changes. Ideally, all participants should meet their target HR 100% of the time for all
ACErcise activities. After discussion with the volunteers, it was concluded that meeting the target HR was limited by intrinsic factors including subject differences in functional level and motivation. Furthermore, it was concluded that meeting the target HR was limited by extrinsic factors including student comfort and education on advancing exercises per individual participant and the intensity of the activities.
Clinical Relevance: Based on these results, it is evident that the intensity of ACErcise needs to be increased for all activities to help participants meet target HRs. In addition, it is important to educate the volunteers on the importance of modifying exercises to meet the maximum potential of each participant and understanding each individual’s goals in order to help each participant achieve maximal benefit from ACErcise sessions.
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