CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) SilverSneakers® Fitness, the nation’s leading exercise program exclusively designed for older adults, today announced the results of its 2014 Annual Participation Survey. More than 35,700 people over the age of 65 across 50 states responded to the survey, which measures participants’ fitness activities, fitness attitudes and health outcomes. Results revealed an active generation of older adults that are leveraging fitness to achieve their health and wellness goals.
According to the survey, SilverSneakers participants are more active than ever before, with 83 percent completing aerobic activity three or more times per week, which is up 5 percent from last year. Additionally, 65 percent complete muscle strengthening exercises three or more times per week, and 49 percent complete flexibility exercises three or more times per week. In fact, 66 percent said they would exercise less or not at all if it weren’t for SilverSneakers.
The survey also revealed the important role SilverSneakers classes play in continued socialization and the link between fitness and emotional well-being, as more than 37 percent of members report they attend class to socialize. More than 68 percent of members participate in classes with a friend, and 34 percent participate with a spouse or significant other.
“The Annual Participation Survey is a meaningful barometer for measuring the health attitudes and well-being of older adult participants nationwide because it demonstrates the skill of SilverSneakers in getting older adults active and keeping them active,” said Joy Powell, president of Healthways Senior Solutions Division. “These consistent and positive outcomes reflect not only the strength of SilverSneakers in advancing and transforming the lives of older adults, but the significance that improving fitness and well-being play in reducing health-related costs for participants as well as the health care system. We recognize the tremendous value SilverSneakers has on enhancing and sustaining participants’ physical and emotional health and continue to evolve programming to meet those needs.”
The Annual Participation Survey is a statistically significant, randomized survey of SilverSneakers Fitness members in all 50 states. SilverSneakers Fitness was founded in 1992 and is the nation’s leading exercise program exclusively designed for older adults. The innovative program guides members through their fitness journey, helping them to improve their physical, mental and emotional well-being and reach their fitness goals. Today, the program serves more than 12 million eligible members in more than 13,000 participating fitness and wellness facilities nationwide. Members receive access to facility amenities, to specialized group exercise classes taught by instructors trained specifically in senior fitness, and to FLEX™ programs, which includes classes and activities at parks, recreation centers and other local venues.
For more information and a visual infographic, visit www.silversneakers.com/survey.
About Healthways
Healthways is the largest independent global provider of well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for our customers, which include employers, integrated health systems, hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities and government entities. We provide highly specific and personalized support for each individual and their team of experts to optimize each participant’s health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs. Results are achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30 years and now serves approximately 68 million people on four continents. Learn more at www.healthways.com.
