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Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated improvements in health outcomes through participation in light volleyball (LVB) among older adults in China (He, 2009). This study examined the effects of a 15-week LVB intervention programme on physical and psychological attributes among older adults in Hong Kong. Participants (N = 78) aged ≥60 years were assigned to one of the three groups: intervention (LVB), comparison [rouliqiu (RLQ)], and control groups (CGs). Participants completed functional fitness measures and physical activity enjoyment questionnaire before and after the intervention. Results revealed significant improvements in agility, cardiovascular endurance, upper and lower extremity muscle strength, and physical activity enjoyment among participants in the LVB group compared to the CG group. Participants in the LVB group also demonstrated greater cardiovascular endurance, upper extremity muscle strength, and physical activity enjoyment than participants in the RLQ group. Health practitioners may consider LVB as an adapted physical activity intervention to promote health outcomes in older adults.
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge that support from the Hong Kong Light Volleyball Association Ltd. and the partnered elderly centres.
Notes
1 Preliminary screening of data revealed no problems due to missing data, outlier, and multivariate normality. Homogeneity of covariance matrices were supported using Box’s M (Box’s M = 99.77, p = .254). Homogeneity of regressions (insignificant interaction between groups and posttest scores), multicollinearity (Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) less than 10), and linear relationship between covariates (i.e. pretests) and the posttests (significant Bartlett’s test of sphericity) were supported.