Predicting long-term maintenance of physical activity in older adults

Physical activity is a seemingly simple and clinically potent method to decrease morbidity and mortality in people with coronary heart disease (CHD). Nonetheless, long-term maintenance of physical activity remains a frustratingly elusive goal for patients and practitioners alike. In this paper, we posit that among older adults with CHD, recidivism after the initiation of physical activity reflects maladaptive neuroplasticity of malleable neural networks, and people will revert back to learned and habitual physical inactivity patterns, particularly in the setting of stress or depression. We hypothesize that behavioral interventions that successfully promote physical activity may also enhance adaptive neuroplasticity and play a key role in the maintenance of physical activity through the development of new neuronal pathways that enhance functional ability in older adults. Conversely, without such adaptive neuroplastic changes, ingrained maladaptive neuroplasticity will prevail and long-term maintenance of physical activity will fail. In this paper we will: (1) describe the enormous potential for neuroplasticity in older adults; (2) review stress and depression as examples of maladaptive neuroplasticity; (3) describe an example of adaptive neuroplasticity achieved with a behavioral intervention that induced positive affect in people with CHD; and (4) discuss implications for future work in bench to bedside translational research.

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Peer Volunteers Improve Long-Term Maintenance of Physical Activity With Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.8.s2.s257 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (s2) ◽

pp. S257-S266 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

Matthew P. Buman ◽

Peter R. Giacobbi ◽

Joseph M. Dzierzewski ◽

Adrienne Aiken Morgan ◽

Christina S. McCrae ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Community Settings ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Peer Volunteers ◽

Activity Behavior ◽

Term Maintenance

Background:Using peer volunteers as delivery agents may improve translation of evidence-based physical activity promotion programs for older adults. This study examined whether tailored support from older peer volunteers could improve initiation and long-term maintenance of physical activity behavior.Methods:Participants were randomized to 2 16-week, group-based programs: (1) peer-delivered, theory-based support for physical activity behavior change; or (2) an intervention typically available in community settings (basic education, gym membership, and pedometer for self-monitoring), attention-matched with health education. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed via daily self-report logs at baseline, at the end of the intervention (16 weeks), and at follow-up (18 months), with accelerometry validation (RT3) in a random subsample.Results:Seven peer volunteers and 81 sedentary adults were recruited. Retention at the end of the trial was 85% and follow-up at 18 months was 61%. Using intent-to-treat analyses, at 16 weeks, both groups had similar significant improvements in MVPA. At 18 months, the group supplemented with peer support had significantly more MVPA.Conclusions:Trained peer volunteers may enhance long-term maintenance of physical activity gains from a community-based intervention. This approach has great potential to be adapted and delivered inexpensively in community settings.

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Tracking Older Participants of Twelve Physical Activity Classes Over a Three-Year Period

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.6.1.70 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 70-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Nancy A. Ecclestone ◽

Anita M. Myers ◽

Donald H. Paterson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Exercise Adherence ◽

Attendance Rate ◽

Longitudinal Tracking ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Program Adherence ◽

Exercise Classes ◽

Physical Activity Classes

The Centre for Activity and Ageing offers multiple physical activity programs for the general public of older adults. Using a database of 670 registrants, we tracked 541 individuals in 12 programs at the same location over a 3-year period (1992-1995). We found program differences in gender and age mix, attendance patterns, and long-term adherence. Overall, we found a 68% attendance rate and adherence rates of 59%, 51%, and 43% at 6 months, 12 months, and 36 months, respectively. About 21% of participants tried out or transferred between programs during the tracking period, and these individuals were significantly more likely to remain at the center over 3 years. Longitudinal tracking demonstrates that program adherence is not necessarily the same as exercise adherence: older adults leave, rejoin, and switch exercise classes as their commitments and interests change. We project that 50% or more of older adults joining community programs will be long-term adherents to exercise.

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Effects Of A Long-term Physical Activity Program On Accelerometry-based Sedentary Time In Older Adults

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000477849.39535.d3 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 515-516

Author(s):

Amal A. Wanigatunga ◽

Walter T. Ambrosius ◽

Mary M. McDermott ◽

Abby C. King ◽

Roger A. Fielding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Physical Activity Program ◽

Activity Program

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Senior Dance Experience, Cognitive Performance, and Brain Volume in Older Women

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2016/9837321 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Claudia Niemann ◽

Ben Godde ◽

Claudia Voelcker-Rehage

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Older Women ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Gray Matter ◽

Brain Volume ◽

Fitness Level ◽

Motor Fitness

Physical activity is positively related to cognitive functioning and brain volume in older adults. Interestingly, different types of physical activity vary in their effects on cognition and on the brain. For example, dancing has become an interesting topic in aging research, as it is a popular leisure activity among older adults, involving cardiovascular and motor fitness dimensions that can be positively related to cognition. However, studies on brain structure are missing. In this study, we tested the association of long-term senior dance experience with cognitive performance and gray matter brain volume in older women aged 65 to 82 years. We compared nonprofessional senior dancers (n=28) with nonsedentary control group participants without any dancing experience (n=29), who were similar in age, education, IQ score, lifestyle and health factors, and fitness level. Differences neither in the four tested cognitive domains (executive control, perceptual speed, episodic memory, and long-term memory) nor in brain volume (VBM whole-brain analysis, region-of-interest analysis of the hippocampus) were observed. Results indicate that moderate dancing activity (1-2 times per week, on average) has no additional effects on gray matter volume and cognitive functioning when a certain lifestyle or physical activity and fitness level are reached.

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Determining the Long-Term Effectiveness of a Group-Based Physical Activity Program

Health Promotion Practice ◽

10.1177/1524839918769590 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 401-408

Author(s):

Anamica Batra ◽

Richard C. Palmer ◽

Elena Bastida ◽

H. Virginia McCoy ◽

Hafiz M. R. Khan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Population Level ◽

The United States ◽

South Florida ◽

Community Based ◽

Evidence Based Programs ◽

The Impact

Objective. In 2015, only half (48%) of older adults in the United States (≥60 years) reported engaging in any kind of physical activity. Few studies examine the impact of evidence-based programs when adopted in community-based settings. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of EnhanceFitness (EF) upto 12-months. Method. EF was offered to older adults in South Florida. A total of 222 EF classes were offered between October 2008 and December 2014. Program consisted of a 1-hour session held three times a week. Even though participation was required for 4 months, 1,295 participants continued the program for at least 1 year. Results. All participants showed significant improvement in outcome measures. A mean change of 1.5, 1.7, and 1.9 was seen in number of chair stands at 4, 8, and 12 months (p < .001), respectively. The number of arm curls performed improved from 16.8 at baseline to 18.8, 18.8, and 19.2 at 4-, 8-, and 12-months, respectively. Participants improved their up-and-go time by decreasing from 9.1 (baseline) to 8.7 (4 months) to 8.6 (12 months; p = .001). Discussion. Randomized controlled trials are commonly used to determine the efficacy of an intervention. These interventions when disseminated at the population level have the potential to benefit large masses. EF is currently offered at more than 700 locations. This tremendous success of EF brings attention to an important question of continuous monitoring of these programs to ensure program consistency and intended outcomes. The model used by the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative could be replicated by other communities.

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Long-term efficacy of a printed or a Web-based tailored physical activity intervention among older adults

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/1479-5868-10-104 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 104 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Denise Peels ◽

Catherine Bolman ◽

Rianne Henrica Johanna Golsteijn ◽

Hein de Vries ◽

Aart Mudde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Web Based ◽

Term Efficacy

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“Not Everybody’s an Athlete, But They Certainly Can Move”: Facilitators of Physical Activity Maintenance in Older Adults in a Northern and Rural Setting

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2019-0393 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (6) ◽

pp. 854-863 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kirsten Ward ◽

Anne Pousette ◽

Chelsea A. Pelletier

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Community Based ◽

Semistructured Interviews ◽

Individual Program ◽

Physical Activity Maintenance

Although the benefits of maintaining a physical activity regime for older adults are well known, it is unclear how programs and facilities can best support long-term participation. The purpose of this study is to determine the facilitating factors of physical activity maintenance in older adults at individual, program, and community levels. Nine semistructured interviews were conducted with individuals aged 60 years and older and long-term participants (>6 months) in community-based group exercise at a clinical wellness facility in northern British Columbia, Canada. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via inductive thematic analysis. Themes identified as facilitators of physical activity included (a) social connections, (b) individual contextual factors, and (c) healthy aging. Older adults are more likely to maintain physical activity when environments foster healthy aging and provide opportunity for social engagement.

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Maintenance motives for physical activity among older adults: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032605 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. e032605 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mary Katherine Huffman ◽

Jason Brian Reed ◽

Theresa Carpenter ◽

Steve Amireault

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Publication Date ◽

Sample Mean ◽

Institutional Review Board Review ◽

Human Research Protection Program

IntroductionPhysical activity (PA) is an important aspect for health and well-being, yet many older adults do not maintain their PA long term. The identification of key factors that are associated with, and likely causally related to, older adults’ PA maintenance is a crucial first step towards developing programmes that are effective at promoting long-term PA behaviour change. The purpose of this protocol is to outline a systematic review that will examine the relationship between four motives (ie, satisfaction, enjoyment, self-determination and identity) and older adults’ PA maintenance.Methods and analysisStudies that investigated PA maintenance with a sample mean age ≥55 years will be included. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses) were searched on 6 April 2018 with no publication date limit (ie, from inception). One reviewer screened 100% of titles and abstracts (k=21 470) while a random subsample (20%) was screened independently by two reviewers. An update of the search was run on 1 October 2019. All studies for which the full text was retrieved will be independently screened by two reviewers. Data pertaining to study sample, design, motives, PA (eg, measurement validity evidence, study definition of maintenance) and essential bias domains (eg, bias due to missing data) will be extracted. Study-level effect sizes will be calculated, and if the number of studies is ≥5, a random-effects meta-analysis will be performed using inverse-variance methods; a narrative synthesis will be performed otherwise.Ethics and disseminationThe university’s Human Research Protection Program determined that the proposed study qualifies as exempt from the Institutional Review Board review under Exemption Category 4 (PROPEL #: 80047007). Results will be published in a peer-review journal, and the findings will help inform future interventions with older adults.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018088161.

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