Fifteen Weeks of Light-Intensity, Community-Based Group Exercise Improves Executive Function, Upper-Limb Strength, and Endurance in Older Adults: A Pre–Post Study

Although the benefits of physical activity for older adults are well established, the prevalence of insufficient physical activity remains the highest among individuals over 60. This quasi-experimental study was intended to analyze the physical and psychological effects of older adults’ participation for 15 weeks in a light-intensity, group-based, multicomponent program designed to be long-term, inclusive, and low-cost. A total of 143 community-dwelling older adults were included in the final analysis. On average, participants attended 76.5% of the sessions (SD = 15.8%), and the median time of previous participation in the program was 15 (IQR: 4–37) months. Significant improvements were observed in executive functioning and selected physical outcomes with lower baseline performance; furthermore, overall well-being was maintained. This program promotes prevention by maintaining or enhancing physical and psychological health, in addition to addressing barriers to long-term participation in community-based physical exercise, especially for those with poorer health status.