RESUMO
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of low intensity exercise program with telephone coaching on the physical fitness of elderly people who are receiving home visiting nursing care. METHOD: This study was conducted using a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The participants were 61 elders. Elders (34) in the experimental group performed low intensity exercise and of these 16 received telephone coaching. The low intensity exercise program consisted of stretching, muscle strengthening with an elastic band, massage, and ball exercise, five days a week, for sixteen weeks. Data were collected from July 2007 to December 2007. chi-square-test, ANCOVA with SPSS WIN 11.0 program were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: There were statistical differences in the right grasping power in the right hand (p=0.021), Raising behind of right arm (p=0.006), Raising behind of left arm (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: These results indicate, that a low intensity exercise program with telephone coaching can help improve physical fitness in elders receiving served home visiting nursing care.