Author(s): TAMULEVICIUS, N., HOUSTON, F., MCKNABB, R., ANDERSEN, J.C., LEUNG, W. , Institution: THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA, Country: UNITED STATES, Abstract-ID: 874

INTRODUCTION:
There are multiple benefits associated with engagement in strength training, including maintaining a healthy musculoskeletal system, improving functional abilities, and promoting independence are associated with resistance training [1]. The current recommendation is to engage in strength training twice per week [2]. Among people with disabilities, their demographic factors, such as age, sex, and race, could influence their frequency of strength training engagement. Currently, little is known about how demographic factors influence the frequency of strength training among people with disability. Therefore, this study aims to examine the association between demographic factors and the frequency of strength training using free-living data.
METHODS:
Using the free-living data of 2015-2019 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System, 251062 individuals with disabilities were included in this cross-sectional secondary data analysis. Respondents self-reported the frequency of engagement of strength training per week. Demographic factors such as older adults, sex, race and ethnicity, and normal weight status were examined on their association with the frequency of strength training per week. Due to the frequency of strength training being counts data, multiple Poisson regressions were performed for each of the demographic variables. Sampling weights were accounted for during the analysis due to the data being complex survey data.
RESULTS:
The average frequency of strength training among the participants was 1.02 (95% CI [1.00, 1.04]) times per week. Among the participants, 70.98% [95% CI 70.65, 71.32]) were ≥65 years old, 44.68% (95% CI [44.26, 45.10]) were males, 63.52% (95% CI [63.11, 63.94]) were white, and 25.12% (95% CI [24.76, 25.49]) had normal weight status. The Poisson regressions found that participants who were older than 65 years old (RR=1.20, p<.01), male (RR=1.36, p<.01), and having normal weight (RR=1.39, p<.01) were more likely to have a higher frequency of strength training per week. Being white had a lower RR of having a higher frequency of strength training per week (RR=0.98, p=.35), but the association was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION:
The reported strength training frequency was below the recommended guidelines of two times per week among the participants. Demographic factors impact the frequency of strength training among individuals with disabilities. All included demographic variables in the study were statistically associated with the strength training frequency per week. Investigating potential barriers and facilitators associated with these variables may guide the development of more effective strength training interventions targeting people with disabilities.
References:
1. Seguin, R. & Nelson, M., The benefits of strength training for older adults. AJPM, 2003. 25(3): p. 141-149.
2. Piercy, K.L., et al., The physical activity guidelines for Americans. JAMA, 2018. 320(19): p. 2020-2028.