Step

1
Step Stride with RubyTricia Selby, MSW, AARP
Outreach and Service and Helen W. Brown, Ph.D.,
AARP Knowledge Management
WHAT
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
The Step Stride with Ruby program is a
year-long walking activity funded by the AARP
Foundations Womens Leadership Circle (WLC). The
WLC is interested in testing the connection
between the social aspects of group exercise
(i.e. walking) and the likelihood that
participants will sustain this regular exercise
over time. The Red Hat Society and AARP Step
Stride with Ruby pilot walking study focuses on
the impact of exercising in a social setting over
the long-term. The program is named for the Red
Hat Societys mascot, Ruby and aims to empower
women to live healthier, more active lives.

• The program includes
• A Step Stride with Ruby participant packet with
  a step counter (measurement tool).
• Rubys attire card and monthly log cards.
• The Countess received the Step Stride with Ruby
  Fit Kita resource tool for program
  implementation.
• Participants recorded their daily steps on the
  log cards and, each week, they turned in their
  weekly totals to the Red Hat Society Countess who
  tracked participants progress on the official
  website at www.stepstride.com.
• Chapters organized monthly scavenger hunts. The
  program features Ruby the Red Hat Society icon.
• Each month participants who turned in their
  weekly log cards to the Countess received a
  sticker (item of Rubys attire) to affix to
  Rubys attire card.
• Incentives included a random monthly drawing for
  qualified participants and year-end awards given
  to chapters reaching the highest average in 1st,
  2nd, and 3rd place categories.

RESEARCH

• The AARP research for the Step Stride with Ruby
  was designed to
• Investigate the relationship between Step
  Stride with Ruby and
• walking over the long-term
• Evaluate the efficacy of the Red Hat Society
  walking program to maintain physical activity
  of the long term
• Research Design
• 21 Test Chapters and 8 Control Group Chapters
• February 2007--Pre-program, baseline survey
• February 2008 Post-program follow-up mail survey
• Outcome Measures
• Number of chapters completing the program
• Number of participants completing the program
• Number of self-starter chapters in program
• Chapter drop-out
• Effect of competition on chapters on individuals
• Effect of walk leader dynamics on chapter
  outcomes individual

WHY

• Studies have shown that regular walking can help
  significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular
  disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis,
  arthritis, and even some cancers
• AARP has found that 74 percent of its members who
  exercise prefer walking over any other type of
  physical activity.
• Walking programs can also reduce insurance costs,
  increase employee productivity, and promote
  mental well-being.
• Step Stride with Ruby fits with the Red Hat
  Societys goal of giving women 50 and over as
  many opportunities as possible to enjoy each
  other's company.
• The year-long walking program is also part of a
  broader AARP goal to help prevent illness and
  keep older Americans well through positive
  changes to personal behaviors, like exercise and
  diet.

SELECTION OF RED HAT SOCIETY CHAPTERS

• Eight-hundred Red Hat Society chapters applied
  to become part of the
  AARP-funded Step and Stride with Ruby study.
• Twenty-one pilot chapters and eight control
  chapters were chosen by a stratified random
  selection process based on
• Geographic location
• Chapter size
• Ethnicity
• Number of years chapter has existed
• Average member age