Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

Originating University: University of Missouri Extension

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy (SSSH) is a program designed to help older adults improve their strength, fitness, and flexibility. This initiative aims to reduce the risk of falls and osteoporosis, allowing participants to maintain their health and well-being. Additionally, the program includes supplemental educational materials about preventive healthcare services and vaccines specifically for older adults, helping to enhance immunity and overall health as part of the existing strength training curriculum.

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Learning Objectives

1. Participants will improve physical health through exercises that increase strength, balance, and flexibility.
2. Participants will empower older adults to incorporate exercise and physical activity into their daily lives.
3. Participants will improve self-efficacy for exercise and falls among older adults.
4. Participants will enhance the understanding and application of key health and wellness concepts for older adults, focusing on nutrition for healthy aging and promoting immunity through lifestyle choices and vaccine education.

What’s Included

• Instructor manual/guide
• Handouts/resources or educational reinforcements
• Evaluation instruments
• Marketing materials
• Equipment ordering list

How It Works (Delivery Methods)

• Stay Strong Stay Healthy Educational curriculum 

Training / Certification

Organizations must adopt the SSSH program, sign a license agreement, and pay an annual fee to implement the program. An organization has the option to appoint Master Trainer(s) for an additional one-time fee. Organizations and/or Master Trainers are responsible for maintaining program fidelity among their trained instructors. Please reach out to muextsssh@missouri.edu for fee information and details on adopting the program.

Instructors must complete the following to become a certified SSSH instructor:

• CPR Training
• Online training
• In-person training
• Instructors and Master Trainers must teach the program at least once each year to maintain certification
• Curriculum is provided with necessary handouts and accompanying script for educational materials.

Evaluation Plan

• Pre- and post-surveys (including qualitative and quantitative questions) and pre-and post-fitness assessments are part of the evaluation for SSSH program participants

Expected Outcomes

Participants will experience outcomes in the following areas from completing Stay Strong Stay Health:

Physical Health

• Participants will demonstrate measurable improvements or maintenance in components of fitness
• Participants will feel their physical health has improved Exercise Engagement
• Participants will incorporate regular physical activity into their weekly routines
• Participants will report motivation and confidence to continue exercising beyond the program

Self-Efficacy for Exercise, Physical Activity, and Fall Prevention

• Participants will express increased confidence in their ability to exercise and be physically active
• Participants will show improvements in their concern about the possibility of falling

Knowledge

• Participants will report a stronger understanding of key health and wellness behaviors to support healthy aging
• Participants will report improved knowledge about appropriate vaccines and lifestyle habits that support a strong immune system
• Participants will report improved knowledge about the importance of up to date vaccinations to support the immune system

Adopt This Curriculum

• SSSH-L1_Handout_Immunity_and_You 2025-09-12 – one page handout for SSSH curriculum