Strength Training Program @ Caulfield Community Health Service EVALUATION APPROACHES

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Strength Training Program _at_ Caulfield Community
Health ServiceEVALUATION APPROACHES

• Kirstan Corben
• Health Promotion Coordinator
• 30 May 2005

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Outline

• CCHS Strength Training program
• Current approaches to evaluation
• Ideas about evaluation in the future

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Aim

• Aim
• To increase the level of physical activity within
  the local community through participation in
  strength training
• Target Population
• Adults from the local community (no defined
  catchment area), particular focus on older adults
  aged 60 years

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Objectives

• To provide a safe and supportive environment for
  people to participate in physical activity
• To offer information, advice and support to
  assist individuals to successfully undertake an
  individually tailored strength training program
• To create opportunities for strengthening social
  connection among participants
• To develop avenues for participants to become
  involved in the operation and development of the
  strength training program

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The Program Now

• 520 participants attending twice each week
• Cost of 3 per session
• Supervised by fitness instructors
• Conducted at Recreation Hall at CGMC
• Based on long term participation
• Major developments over last 6 years
• Seen as an opportunity to
• Strengthen health promotion
• Promote participation in physical activity
• Support older people to achieve health
• Meet a strong community need

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Program Participants

• Average age 68 years
• 88 female
• 32 live in Caulfield
• Commonly self referred
• Participants begin strength
• training to achieve health benefits
• Participants continue predominantly because
• Enjoyment
• Social connection
• Feel comfortable in the environment

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Current Approaches to Evaluation

• Indicators for process and impact
• Agreed methods for evaluation
• Developed tools
• Made some progress
• Keen to make further progress!

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Indicators

• Number of registered participants
• Attendance patterns (frequency, regularity of
  participation)
• Participant satisfaction (environment,
  instructors, equipment, exercise programs)
• Program progression (changes in weights,
  exercises)
• Participant feedback (self reported changes in
  function, health and fitness, social benefits)
• Physical outcomes for individual participants
  (reassessment measures)

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Methods and Tools

• Focus group with instructors (quarterly)
• Formal participant assessment and reassessment
• Standardised
• Validated measures
• Participant feedback survey (annually)

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Results

• Demographics of participant group
• Ideas about program development
• Feedback about previous changes
• Likes, dislikes, preferences
• Suggested improvements e.g. coffee mornings,
  strong news
• Results inform future program operation and
  development
• Long term stronger program success

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Ideas for Future Evaluation

• ISEPICH Strength Training Network
• Standardise aspects of evaluation within all
  programs