Date of Award
Spring 4-14-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (PhD)
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
To date, no home-based exercise programs have been established as definitive interventions for improving the sit-to-stand (STS) performance in older adults (OAs). Previous research identifies a duration of >15 seconds on the Five-Time-Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) as a significant predictor of increased fall risk for OAs. This study applies higher-ranked gluteal activation therapeutic exercises that can improve STS performance for OAs.
Twenty-five OAs age 72.68 ± 4.02 years old were given a 6-week home exercise program that included five therapeutic exercises to be performed three times a week using a Perform Better resistance loop. The FTSST and surveys were completed pre- and post-intervention. Paired samples t-test of pre-post intervention times were conducted to determine strength of evidence for the time change. Participants had a pre-intervention mean FTSST time of M = 9.97 ± 2.21 seconds and a post-intervention time of M = 7.47 ± 1.76 seconds, a mean difference of M = 2.50 ± .45 seconds. The present findings suggest that OAs improved their STS performance by 24.22% ± 12.29% while self-reporting an increase of leg strength, an increase of frequency of resistance training sessions ≥ 3/week, and a decrease in sedentary behavior.