"Bingocise:" Increasing Older Adults' Physical Activity Using Bingo

In the spring of 2011, four students from the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion launched a service-learning project at a residential senior facility. The goal was to increase physical activity in the seniors. The original plan was to lead the seniors through exercises that would increase balance and muscular strength. However, with the initial attendance low, the students decided to try something different. They began to advertise bingo games. Many of the seniors already played bingo so they began attracting more and more residents. The catch was the students led the seniors through the same exercises in between the games. The seniors were told they could play the game regardless of their participation in the exercise, but amazingly all of them participated. By the end of the semester over 20% of the resident population (20 people) were attending the once a week program. In the fall of 2011, the program has been expanded to include another facility. Both the seniors and college students have indicated how much they have enjoyed the program.