Mail-Order exercise: a simple program that could keep older women out of the hospital

NCT ID NCT02425345

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tested whether a physical activity program delivered by mail and website could improve the health of nearly 50,000 older women already in the Women's Health Initiative. The program included aerobic, balance, strength, and flexibility exercises, and encouraged reducing sitting time. Researchers tracked heart attacks, strokes, fractures, falls, and physical function to see if this low-cost approach could make a real difference.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: physical activity program (aerobic, balance, strength, flexibility exercises)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that a simple, mail-based exercise program helps older women stay independent and avoid serious health events like heart attacks and falls.
What could go wrong: This is a large completed trial, but results may not apply to all older women, and participants may not have stuck with the program long-term. The intervention is low-risk, but any new exercise carries a small chance of injury.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bone fracture cardiovascular disorder Depression hip fracture Motor Activity myocardial infarction peripheral arterial disease sleep disorder stroke disorder venous thromboembolism

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CARDIOVASCULAR MORTALITY CLINICAL (NON-HIP) FRACTURES CORONARY REVASCULARIZATION DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS FALLS HIP FRACTURES MOBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE MORTALITY MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE PHYSICAL FUNCTION SLEEP STROKE VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLIC EVENT

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