Fitness and Mobility Exercise Program (FAME)

The Fitness and Mobility Exercise Program (FAME) is a group exercise program for older individuals with chronic stroke. Through the program, groups of 9 to 12 adults who suffer from chronic stroke undergo aerobic sessions designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, mobility, leg muscle strength, balance, and hip bone mineral density. Exercise sessions are led by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and exercise instructor. The groups meet for one hour sessions, three times a week, for 19 weeks. Sessions include three workout stations with cardiovascular fitness, mobility, and balance and strengthening activities.

The goal of the FAME intervention is to improve the fitness and mobility of individuals who have suffered a stroke.

An evaluation of the program compared intervention participants to a control group. The intervention group underwent a fitness and mobility exercise (FAME) program designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, mobility, leg muscle strength, balance, and hip bone mineral density. The FAME intervention group had significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, mobility, and paretic leg muscle strength than a control group that received an upper extremity seated exercise intervention. Bone mineral density in the paretic leg declined significantly in the control group, but was maintained in the intervention group. Both groups improved balance and activity participation.