| The purpose of this study was to determine if pathology classification is a significant predictor of adherence to a community-based exercise program. This study was an examination of differences in exercise adherence rates of subjects with pathology classifications of cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary, multiple, or other diagnoses. A retrospective cohort study design was implemented, evaluating an existing database from the 2014 Lyndon State College Health/Fitness Intervention Program. This database was represented by subjects ( N = 44) with a mean age of 65.82 (SD = 10.00) years who participated in a 6-week exercise program consisting of 60 min per day, two days per week. In this database, pathology classification was determined via information contained within a Preparticipation Health Screen Packet, and exercise adherence was defined as the number of sessions attended out of 12 possible sessions. Data were analyzed via an independent groups 2-way analysis of variance (2-way ANOVA), simple linear regression, and multiple linear regression. No significant interaction was found for Pathology x Gender in regards to exercise adherence (F(1,2) = 0.363, p = .698). There was no significant difference between exercise adherence for gender (F(1,1) = 0.299, p = .588), or for pathology (F(1,4) = 1.823, p = .146). Only the cardiovascular and metabolic groups were of sufficient size for regression analysis, and in this regard pathology was found to be significant predictor of exercise adherence (F(1,31) = 4.560, p = .041). While pathology classification of cardiovascular and metabolic was a statistically significant predictor of exercise adherence, only 10.0% of the variance in adherence could be predicted from this model (adjusted R2 = .100). Necessary future research in this area should consider larger and more diverse samples, longer duration exercise programs, and following-up with subjects after program conclusion. |
