OBJECTIVES: (1) To examine the feasibility of group physical activity in a day-care routine. (2) To assess the impact of this programme on functional fitness. DESIGN: Ten-week observational period, followed by 12 weeks of intervention in randomized controlled design, followed by 12 weeks of intervention only. SETTING: A day-care centre for demented older individuals. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine demented (Mini-Mental State Exam score 13.3 +/- 5.83) day-care attendees, mean +/- SD age 76.9 +/- 6.72. INTERVENTION: Group physical activity versus social activity, followed by increased-intensity physical activity for both groups. MEASUREMENTS: Performance rate (PR) in physical activity sessions, Timed Get Up and Go (TGUG), Sit-to-Stand (STS) and Functional Reach (FR). RESULTS: Approximately 60% of the participants performed almost all movements or repetitions in both intervention phases. No improvements were observed following the first phase of physical activity. A reduction of 3.2 seconds (+/- 1.2 SE) was noted in the time needed to perform the TGUG following the increased-intensity physical activity. CONCLUSION: A carefully tailored group physical activity, conducted twice weekly with a group of 12 to 15 participants in a medium size room, and led by a physical activity teacher assisted by a staff aide, is feasible. Although physical activity performed mainly while sitting is ineffective, it can be effective to a meaningful degree when performed while standing or walking.

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