Physical Activity in Yellowstone County

Published: 2019
By Jackie Rumph

MSU Extension Yellowstone County taught Physical Activity classes in the towns of Laurel and Shepard located in South Central Montana. These classes included Chair Yoga class and Arthritis Exercise class, which reached 31 total participants. According to the data shown below, positive impacts were achieved in physical, mental, social, and behavioral aspects. Physical findings include a reported increase in strength and the ability to move freely and easily by 96% of the participants, a reported increase in stamina by 85% of the participants, and a reported increase in balance by 92% of the participants. Upon completion of the Physical Activity classes, 7 participants reported meeting the 2018 physical activity guidelines. • Social findings include a reported increase in community ties by 100% of the participants. • Mental health findings include a reported decrease in stress by 67% of the participants and a reported decrease in anxiety by 64% of the participants. Variables that effect both mental and physical aspects include sleep and chronic pain. Significant increases in sleep were reported by 77% of participants and decreases in chronic pain were reported by 65% of the participants. • Positive behavior changes include a reported intent to engage in similar exercise routines outside of the Physical Activity classes by 88% of the participants and a reported intent to maintain the friendships made during this program by 96% of the participants.