Interactive planning program to increase physical activity among seniors (initial study)
Funded by the National Institute on Aging
Scientist(s):
Blair Irvine, PhD
,
Natasha Beauchamp, MSc
Exercise is one of the most beneficial lifestyle behaviors for seniors. Numerous studies have proven its powerful effect on physical and mental health as well as its ability to help seniors live and function independently. Unfortunately, most older adults are not physically active enough to reap the benefits of exercise. By age 75, about one in three men engage in no physical activity, and one in two women live sedentary lives.
Rather than emphasize exercise, Seniors on the Move! is a multimedia program that steers clear of the "jock and gym" approach and instead draws on principles of behavior change to introduce simple elements of physical activity in small steps. Viewers are guided through the program by an onscreen doctor and a senior female who is fairly new to being physically active. Viewers hear video testimonials from older adults like themselves who share how they overcame the most common barriers to physical activity.
To promote a move to action, viewers are encouraged to create a plan. After identifying their most important goal for becoming more active, they then receive suggestions regarding the best ways to reach their goal, be it through strengthening, balance, fitness, or flexibility activities. Program users are given several practical lists to choose from, including activities to do with a friend, activities that will help arthritis, and activities that also get something accomplished. Video demonstrations are available for many of the stretching, strengthening, and balance activities, and the Information Center delivers articles about important topics such as exercising to help prevent cancer, and dressing for the weather.
Seventy-four sedentary women 60 to 75 years old participated in a randomized clinical trial conducted at two SeniorNet computer labs in a mid-sized city. (This research began as a feasibility study, thus the scope was narrowed to primarily include relatively younger senior women.) All participants began by answering a questionnaire regarding their level of physical activity and their attitudes about being physically active. Half the participants then watched Seniors on the Move!, and the other half watched a multimedia Internet program unrelated to exercise. After viewing their assigned programs, the participants were asked to complete the questionnaire again.
Those who had access to Seniors on the Move! showed significant gains compared with those who did not watch the program. They became more knowledgeable about physical activity and more aware of the dangers of their sedentary lifestyle. In addition, those who reported the lowest amount of physical activity at the beginning of the study made the greatest improvements in terms of their intentions to become more active. The evaluation of this program showed enough promise that a grant has been submitted to expand the scope of the program.
|
