The SPROUT (Pilot) Project

Women randomized to Supervised Exercise group will attend two to three exercise classes/week. Each session will consist of: 5-min flexibility warm-up and cool-down; 40 min of moderate intensity calculated as 40-59% Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) along with Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) between 13-14; and 20 minutes of resistance with an additional 30 minutes of unsupervised home aerobic activity per week. The women will be given their choice of aerobic equipment or walking either track/ treadmill to achieve a total of 40 minutes of moderate intensity exercise. The Supervised Exercise group will receive exercise counseling during their first meeting in addition to materials on the benefits of exercise, a log to record additional activity completed each week, goal setting, making time for exercise/making exercise a habit and exercise behavioral strategies.

Women assigned to Home Exercise group will receive instructions for their home walking program including tips for walking indoors and outdoors, exercise handouts for warm-up/cool-down activities, demonstrations for resistance training activities and an exercise log. Women assigned to Home Exercise group will be contacted once per week to discuss their progress, barriers/challenges faced, ask questions, and strategies to achieve the exercise guidelines. The Home Exercise group will receive exercise counseling during their first meeting in addition to materials on the benefits of exercise, a log to record additional activity completed each week, goal setting, making time for exercise/making exercise a habit and exercise behavioral strategies.