Modeling Success: Characterizing a University-Based Exercise Program for People with Disabilities

Abstract

Background. The prevalence of physical activity among people with disabilities is low. Exercise programs that support access and long-term exercise engagement for people with disabilities remain scarce. Few existing programs have been characterized through a program evaluation, which is a fundamental step for replication. Replication can help amplify the programs’ reach and overall impact on promoting exercise among people with disabilities. Methods. Using a qualitative descriptive design, this program evaluation sought to characterize a university-based exercise program for people with disabilities through a logic model. Data sources included direct observations, documents, course webpages, meetings with the program director, and public sources. Data analysis was conducted using artifact and iterative analysis. Results. The resulting logic model describes the objectives, resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes. Key objectives are (1) support clients with exercise engagement; and (2) teach students how to develop exercise programs and pre-professional skills. Resources include funding, facility, personnel, and equipment, forms, and affiliated coursework. Activities include preparatory, ongoing, and single-time activities. Outputs include 6 program sections per week, approximately 60 clients and 180 students participating, 1:2 to 1:4 client-to-student team ratios, 3 weeks of student training, 9 weekly 75-minute sessions per client, 9 pre-professional competencies evaluated per student, and 3 community-building activities. Outcomes include strong sense of community, changes in exercise performance and psychosocial outcomes, and opportunities to work with people with disabilities. Discussion. The logic model illustrates what the program entails. Two theories (self-determination theory, situated learning theory) are proposed to explain how these components contribute to successful fruition of the program’s objectives. Future research includes logic

model refinement to reflect program changes over time and exploring long-term implementation outcomes.