Fitness, Social Isolation and Loneliness

Social isolation is a growing population health issue, especially for older adults. SilverSneakers is a national exercise program that provides specialized group classes for older adults. Together, the MIT AgeLab and Tivity Health, Inc., explored the following questions: Does membership in SilverSneakers reduce social isolation and its subjective counterpart, loneliness? How does SilverSneakers membership impact health specifically as a form of social engagement?

The results of this study have been published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology. The article can be downloaded here.

Publications

  • Brady, S., D’Ambrosio, L. A., Felts, A., Rula, E. Y., Kell, K. P., & Coughlin, J. F. (2020). Reducing isolation and loneliness through membership in a fitness program for older adults: implications for health. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 39(3), 301-310.

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