Fit and Strong! is an award-winning, evidence-based exercise/behavior change program developed by a team headed by Dr. Susan Hughes from the University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Research on Health and Aging.  Fit and Strong! targets older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis. The program has been tested in two large-scale randomized trials.  Results indicate that participants experience reduced joint pain and stiffness, increased self-efficacy for exercise and exercise adherence, and increased physical activity participation (Hughes et al, 2004; Hughes et al., 2006).

As a result of these positive findings, the Fit and Strong! team has received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventino to disseminate the program within Illinois and North Carolina.  The team is also partnering with the National Arthritis Foundation to expand the reach of Fit and Strong!.  The program is being offered within four Arthritis Foundation Chapters:  Northern and Southern New England, Michigan, Western Missouri/Kansas, and Northern California.   Fit and Strong! runs for eight weeks at a time and meets three times per week for 90 minutes.  Each session includes one hour of stretching, low-impact aerobics/aerobic walking, and strengthening exercises, followed by 30 minutes of manual-based group discussion/problem-solving.  Group discussions address arthritis management, exercising safely with arthritis, and how to develop and maintain an active lifestyle. 

Currently, Fit and Strong! is enrolling additional sites to implement the program.  To sign up to offer Fit and Strong! at your site or for more information about the program, please call  (312) 413-9810 or e-mail fitandstronguic@gmail.com or check out the program Web site at http://www.fitandstrong.org.