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Daughters and Mothers Exercising Together: Effects of Home- and Community-Based Programs.
RANSDELL, LYNDA B. 1; TAYLOR, ALISON 1; OAKLAND, DARCIE 1; SCHMIDT, JENNY 1; MOYER-MILEUR, LAURIE 2; SHULTZ, BARRY 1
[Miscellaneous Article] Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 35(2):286-296, February 2003.

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RANSDELL, L. B., A. TAYLOR, D. OAKLAND, J. SCHMIDT, L. MOYER-MILEUR, and B. SHULTZ. Daughters and Mothers Exercising Together: Effects of Home- and Community-Based Programs. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 286-296, 2003.

Purpose: This pilot study compares the effectiveness of home- and community-based physical activity interventions that target mothers and daughters to increase physical activity and improve health-related fitness.

Methods: Mothers (45.18 /- 7.49 yr) and daughters (15.41 /- 1.33 yr) were randomly assigned to a community-based (CB) (N = 20 participants) or home-based (HB) (N = 14 participants) program. CB participants attended three instructor-led sessions per week for 12 wk. HB participants were asked to participate in 3 sessions per week for 12 wk in a program similar to the CB program. The main difference between the programs was that CB activities were completed at a fitness facility within a university and HB activities were completed in or near the home. Before and after the intervention, changes in health-related fitness and physical activity were assessed. A series of 2 (group assignment) x 2 (time) ANOVAs were conducted to assess changes separately for mothers and daughters.

Results: CB participants attended 77% of the sessions, and none of the pairs dropped out. HB participants completed 70% of the recommended sessions, and three pairs dropped out. Mothers and daughters in both groups significantly increased their participation in aerobic, muscular strength, and flexibility activities (P = 0.02 to 0.000). Daughters in both groups significantly improved their muscular endurance (sit-ups, P = 0.000). Mothers in both groups improved their muscular strength (push-ups, P = 0.003), muscular endurance (sit-ups, P = 0.000), flexibility (sit-and-reach, P = 0.008), and aerobic capacity (1-mile walk, P = 0.002). Positive changes in diastolic blood pressure also occurred (P = 0.008).

Conclusion: Mothers and daughters responded positively to CB and HB physical activity programs. Home-based physical activity programming is a cost-effective means to increase physical activity and improve health-related fitness in these groups.