Impact of the Exercise Right for Active Ageing program on physical function in older adults: a quasi-experimental pre-post study

BACKGROUND: The Exercise Right for Active Ageing (ERAA) program was established to improve access to exercise classes for community-dwelling older Australians. The aims of this study were to determine whether older adults, who participated in ERAA exercise classes experienced a change in physical function, and identify factors associated with this change. METHODS: Participants included community-dwelling older adults, aged ≥ 65 years, from every state and territory of Australia. The ERAA program included 12 subsidised, weekly, low- to moderate-intensity exercise classes, delivered by accredited exercise scientists or physiologists (AESs/AEPs). Primary outcomes included the 30 s Sit-to-Stand (STS) and the 3-metre Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. Secondary outcomes included grip strength, the Chair Sit and Reach test, and waist circumference. Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to evaluate the change in outcomes following program completion, and to determine factors associated with changes in the primary outcomes. RESULTS: 3,582 older adults (77% female) with a median (IQR) age of 72 (69–77) years completed follow-up testing. For all primary and secondary outcomes, there was a statistically significant improvement after program completion (p < 0.001). The STS increased by 2.2 repetitions (95% CI: 2.1, 2.3), the TUG decreased by 0.9 s (95% CI: -1.0, -0.8), right and left grip strength increased by 1.3 kg (95% CI: 1.2, 1.5) and 1.5 kg (95% CI: 1.3, 1.6), respectively, right and left reach increased by 1.7 cm (95% CI: 1.4, 2.0), and waist circumference decreased by 1.2 cm (95% CI: -1.4, -1.1). Greater improvements in STS were observed for participants aged 65–69 years, females, and those with greater socio-economic disadvantage. For the TUG, greater improvements were observed in participants reporting 2 + comorbidities, and residing in outer regional areas and areas with greater socio-economic disadvantage. CONCLUSIONS: Participation of older Australians in the ERAA program, led to statistically significant improvements in physical function. The program reached a large number of older Australians from every state and territory, including those from regional and remote parts of Australia, aged over 85 years, and with high levels of comorbidity, which supports the feasibility and acceptability of AES- and AEP-led exercise classes amongst community-dwelling older Australians. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) (ACTRN12623000483651). Registered 12 May 2023 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12623000483651.aspx. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-023-04499-5.