Increasing Movement and Exercise in Geriatric Patients Through Large-Scaled Creative Occupation Interventions

Physical Fitness in Older Adults

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two different types of activities in improving physical fitness in older adults. The main question it aims to answer is whether a person completing a large-scaled art project has similar physical improvements as a person completing a more traditional exercise program. Participants will be asked to either stand for up to an hour while completing a painting across a large canvas or stand for up to an hour while doing body weight exercises. Researchers will compare the painting group to the exercise group to see if physical improvements are the same or different.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether large-scaled creative occupations, such as painting large paintings, would be equally, if not more beneficial than traditional exercise for older adults. Painting on large mural-sized paintings will simulate the participation of endurance heavy, physically demanding tasks. This is because to complete the task, participants will be required to reach to cover the canvas, stand for extended periods of time, and perform repetitive movements. It is hypothesized that this activity will increase active range of motion, strength, endurance, balance, as well as motivation to participate in physical activity by providing a more enjoyable, alternative form of exercise.

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