Keep it Movin': Design and methods of a church-based physical activity program to improve physical function among midlife and older black adults

Brittney S Lange-Maia; Amber Deckard; Sheila A Dugan; Yolanda Cartwright; Steve M Epting; LaDawne Jenkins; Sumihiro Suzuki; Valerie G Press; Steven K Rothschild; Elizabeth B Lynch

doi:10.1016/j.cct.2024.107742

Keep it Movin': Design and methods of a church-based physical activity program to improve physical function among midlife and older black adults

Contemp Clin Trials. 2024 Nov 13:147:107742. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107742. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: Brittney_Lange-Maia@Rush.edu.
² Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
³ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
⁴ Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Hope Community Church, Chicago, IL, USA.
⁵ Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

PMID: 39542132
DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107742

Abstract

Background: Older Black adults have high rates of physical function (PF) limitations. Physical activity (PA) is effective for improving PF and reducing mobility disability risk; however, community-based PA interventions focused on improving PF for older Black adults are lacking. Given the importance of churches as trusted institutions in Black communities, church-based interventions developed through community collaborations may help increase access to PA interventions.

Methods: Keep it Movin' is a church-based cluster randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a 24-week group-based (intervention arm) versus a self-guided (comparator arm) program in improving PF among Black adults aged ≥ 40 years with PF limitations (short physical performance battery [SPPB] score ≤ 9). A church-wide virtual walking program is available to congregants in both arms. The intervention arm receives weekly group-based classes held at the church that include education, goal setting, and structured PA (walking, lower-extremity strength, balance, and stretching). The comparator arm receives educational materials about PA appropriate for people with PF limitations. Outcomes are assessed at 6 (program completion) and 12 months (maintenance). The primary outcome is PF change as measured by the SPPB at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include change in moderate-to-vigorous PA, social support and self-efficacy for PA, quality of life, and self-reported PF. Factors related to successful adoption, implementation, and maintenance are assessed using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.

Conclusion: This is the first study to evaluate the effectiveness of a group-based PA program delivered in Black churches to improve PF.

Keywords: Church-based intervention; Community-based participatory research; Health disparities; Minority health.