Fit & Strong! is a group physical activity (PA) and behavior change program for persons with arthritis. The program consists of 24 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. The first 60 minutes focus on flexibility, low-impact aerobics, and progressive strength training to improve lower body function. The remaining 30 minutes consist of health education and group problem solving using a structured curriculum. Participants develop personalized action plans to maintain physical activity and progress after the class ends. Fit & Strong! is effective, engaging, and fun – the program has high retention and attendance rates.
Published findings demonstrate Fit & Strong! significantly improves engagement and maintenance of PA. If people exercise other good things happen. In addition to increased PA, participants also had improved lower extremity pain and function, lower extremity strength, mobility, and anxiety and depression.
- Target audience: Adults who experience lower extremity joint pain, stiffness, or impairment or other mobility challenges.
- Health outcomes:
- Increased self-efficacy for physical activity
- Increased physical activity engagement
- Increased lower extremity strength
- Improved arthritis symptoms
- Delivered by: 1 Trained lay leader/facilitator, who may include a certified fitness instructor, physical therapist, or occupational therapist
- Program type: Group
- Format: In-person in community, remote
Note: It is permissible to use a combination of remote (i.e. videoconference) and in-person implementation in the same session or during a class series. For example: 10 participants join by Zoom and 10 participants attend in a senior center and receive instruction at the same time.
- Length: Twenty-four (24) class sessions delivered either two or three times per week. Each class session is 90 minutes.
“Fit and strong has helped me mentally and physically. I am walking better, looking better, and eating better. No more knee shots for me. My blood pressure has dropped significantly!”-Participant
- Training: Remote, in-person, on-demand
- Professional required: Yes, organizations that offer Fit & Strong! must sign a program license. Instructors must have either have an exercise/fitness background OR be trained in another approved evidence-based program and complete the Fit & Strong! instructor training process.
- Accessibility adaptations available: Yes
- Fit & Strong! @Home – remote adaptation
- Fit & Strong! VI – Low vision version of the program, including large print manuals
- Cultural adaptations available: Yes
- En Forma y Fuerte! – Hispanic version of Fit & Strong!
- Forte em Forma e Saudável – Portuguese version of Fit & Strong!
- Fit & Strong! Plus – Weight loss version of program
- Available in languages other than English: Spanish and Portuguese
- Topic(s):
- Physical Activity
- Behavioral Health
- Chronic Disease Management
- Falls Prevention
- Pain Management
- Data collection: Implementation sites are required to submit data after completion of each 24-session class.
- Additional Resources:
- Contact: fitandstrong@uic.edu
“By carefully following the Fit & Strong! program, we were able to help our participants get stronger, increase their aerobic capacity and flexibility, and improve their balance, coordination, and endurance. The increase of confidence and happiness we saw in those who joined us were surprising benefits we didn’t anticipate.” -Laura Wassinger, Dorr Township, Illinois.
