Abstract Age-related declines in strength and balance can negatively affect physical function and independence in older adults. Community-based, student-led exercise programs have been suggested to improve physical function and address barriers to physical activity in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a student-led, community-based group exercise program in improving strength and balance in older adults. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was conducted across two independent cohorts with pooled analysis performed at a senior center, where Doctor of Physical Therapy students led an eight-session, multicomponent exercise program . Functional outcomes were assessed pre- and post-program using grip strength, the 30-second sit-to-stand (30STS) test, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. A total of 29 participants completed the program across two cohorts. Statistically significant improvements were observed in functional strength and balance, with 30STS repetitions increasing by 34.9% ( p 0.05). These findings support the feasibility and potential effectiveness of student-led group exercise programs for promoting functional improvements in older adults within community settings. Further research is warranted to confirm these outcomes in larger, randomized controlled trials.
Zhang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.