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Bingocize: Using Games to Improve Balance, Mobility and ADL's

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Physical activity has been documented to provide many benefits in older adults including slowing physiologic changes of aging, and promoting psychological and cognitive well-being (American College of Sports Medicine, 2010). Although the benefits of physical activity have been well-documented, many older adults do not participate in the recommended amounts necessary to elicit the known benefits. Various reasons for their lack of participation have been ascertained including discomfort, fear of injury, social isolation, and fear of falling (Dunlap, 1999; Lees, 2005).

To address this problem, a collaborative partnership was formed between a service coordinator and Kentucky Wesleyan College Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion (KWC). KWC's departments weave service-learning experiences throughout their curriculum to provide undergraduate students field experience and research opportunities. The service coordinator and KWC collaboration resulted in the creation of Bingocize, a replicable fitness program for seniors which consists of two to three 60 minute exercise sessions per week that begins with the participants sitting at tables with bingo cards, balance pads and resistance bands. After every two exercises, a bingo letter and number combination is announced for the game. The pattern is continued until a participant wins the game. Small household products are awarded to the bingo game winner.

Goal / Mission

The goal of Bingocize is to improve mobility, balance, and ADL's in older adult populations.

Results / Accomplishments

A 10-week study (n=18) was conducted to determine the effects of the Bingocize program on measures of fitness. The Senior Fitness Test was used to measure the dependent variables. Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks tests were used to ascertain statistical significance. There were statistically significant improvements in mobility and balance (p<0.012), muscular strength (p<0.010), and flexibility (p<0.006) at the end of the 10-week study. Bingocize has proved to be an inexpensive, effective, enjoyable, and easily replicated way to improve physical activity adherence and ultimately health-related quality of life in the older adults. The Administration on Aging (AoA) Evidence-Based Programs Review Committee found the Bingocize program to meet AoA's minimal level criteria for evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion programs. With the help of trained community partners such as a local college, YMCA, or participant volunteers, this program can be easily replicated.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Western Kentucky University Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport
Primary Contact
Jason Crandall, Ph.D., HFS
Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101
270-929-0479
jason.crandall@wku.edu
http://orgs.wku.edu/bingocize/index.php
Topics
Health / Older Adults
Health / Physical Activity
Health / Wellness & Lifestyle
Organization(s)
Western Kentucky University Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport
Date of implementation
Jan 2011
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Owensboro, KY
For more details
http://orgs.wku.edu/bingocize/index.php
Target Audience
Older Adults
Submitted By
Jason Crandall, Ph.D.

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An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.
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