| Despite cardiovascular disease (CVD) being largely preventable, it remains the leading cause of death among women in the United States. Black women have a greater prevalence of coexisting CVD risk factors such as physical inactivity lending to a 71% higher age adjusted CVD death rate than their white counterparts. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine after 4 months, when compared with baseline measures, if rural community dwelling healthy black females (ages 18--55) receiving two group educational sessions, tailored interventions to increase physical activity (PA), and the option of attending a wellness center for three months, demonstrated significantly greater mean: (a) estimated VO2peak; (b) increased desire to implement PA as a health behavior change as demonstrated through progression from one stage of change to another; and (c) increased self-reported recreational metabolic equivalent units (METS). This study employed a quasi-experimental intervention consisting of a single group repeated measures design. A convenience sample of 108 self-described sedentary black females ages 18 to 53 years participated. Subjects were assessed at baseline, week eight, and week sixteen using the International Physical Activity Scale, Stages of Exercise Scale, and the NEx%Fat regression model. Principle findings from this study indicate that brief group educational sessions, tailored interventions, and free access to a wellness center have a significant effect on increasing estimated VO2peak (baseline M = 16.939, SE = 0.614, week 16 M = 19.645, SE = 0.735), desire to implement PA as a health behavior change (N = 84, Z = -7.38, p < 0.001), and recreational METS (95% CI -762.711, -409.625, p < 0.000) in this group of black females. One month after free access to the wellness center expired, the majority of women continued to report higher levels of recreational METS, estimated VO2peak, and desire to implement PA as a health behavior change when compared to baseline. These findings support treatment approaches that tailor PA interventions to the individual's motivational readiness for behavior change and suggest that even temporary access to a wellness center may assist to increase PA levels in rural community dwelling younger black women for primary prevention of CVD. |
