Keeping Older Adults Active
Healthy Activity Improves Lives (HAIL)
A combined in-person and online version of the Fit and Strong! exercise program to help adults 60 and older increase and maintain regular physical activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11131231 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a program adapted from the evidence-based Fit and Strong! classes that mixes group exercise, education, and ongoing support. The team will address barriers at different levels — personal motivation, social connections, community resources, and environment — to help you stick with activity. The program adds online components and longer-term follow-up beyond the original 8-week class and may use wearable activity trackers to monitor progress. Sessions will be offered through community sites connected to the hospital and through remote modules so you can participate in person or online.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are community-dwelling adults aged 60 or older who currently do less physical activity than recommended and who can attend group sessions or use online materials.
Not a fit: People with severe mobility or medical restrictions that prevent exercise, or those unable to attend in-person sessions and without internet access, may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could help older adults stay active longer, which may lower risks for chronic diseases and improve overall quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: The Fit and Strong! program has previously improved activity and function in older adults in community settings, but combining it with online delivery and longer support is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sylvia, Louisa — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sylvia, Louisa
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.