Effective Peer Leader Attributes for the Promotion of Walking in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1137-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlene Kritz ◽  
Cecilie Thøgersen-Ntoumani ◽  
Barbara Mullan ◽  
Joanne McVeigh ◽  
Nikos Ntoumanis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Peer Leaders ◽  
Walking Intervention ◽  
Leader Attributes ◽  
Leader Training ◽  
Walking Programs ◽  
Leader Role ◽  
Peer Leader

Abstract Background and Objectives Peer-led interventions are promising for the promotion of physical activity behavior in older adults. However, little is known about the attributes of effective older peer leaders in such intervention programs. The objective was to determine what older adults perceive to be effective peer leader attributes. Research Design and Methods A mixed-methods concurrent triangulation design was used. Participants, aged 60 years and older, were recruited from retirement villages and existing walking groups in Western Australia. They were predominantly white, Australian-born, female, healthy retirees. The sample consisted of four groups of older adults: those who had taken part in past peer-led walking programs (experienced walkers; n = 18), those interested in joining as walkers in a peer-led walking intervention (inexperienced walkers; n = 43), those interested to take on a peer leader role (inexperienced peer leaders; n = 25), and those who had already served as peer leaders (experienced peer leaders; n = 15). Questionnaires measured perceived effective leadership attributes, and physical activity was measured using ActivPAL devices (N = 101; Mage [SD] = 75.36 [7.59]). Semistructured interviews were conducted with the majority of participants (N = 68; Mage [SD] = 74.68 [7.78]). Results Overall, participants described an effective peer leader as optimistic, compassionate, and friendly, but differences in perceptions were apparent between the groups. Discussion and Implications Our findings advance knowledge about important characteristics of an effective older peer leader, which can inform peer leader training, recruitment of peer leaders, and future scale development.

Neighborhood Influences on Physical Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Multilevel Perspective

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuzhong Li ◽  
K. John Fisher ◽  
Adrian Bauman ◽  
Marcia G. Ory ◽  
Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Neighborhood Influences ◽  
Environment Variables ◽  
Multilevel Perspective

Over the past few years, attention has been drawn to the importance of neighborhood influences on physical activity behavior and the need to consider a multilevel analysis involving not only individual-level variables but also social-and physical-environment variables at the neighborhood level in explaining individual differences in physical activity outcomes. This new paradigm raises a series of issues concerning systems of influence observed at different hierarchical levels (e.g., individuals, neighborhoods) and variables that can be defined at each level. This article reviews research literature and discusses substantive, operational, and statistical issues in studies involving multilevel influences on middle-aged and older adults’ physical activity. To encourage multilevel research, the authors propose a model that focuses attention on multiple levels of influence and the interaction among variables characterizing individuals, among variables characterizing neighborhoods, and across both levels. They conclude that a multilevel perspective is needed to increase understanding of the multiple influences on physical activity.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of health literacy oriented programs on physical activity behaviour in middle aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Huen Sum Lam ◽  
Angela Yee Man Leung
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Type Ii Diabetes ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Activity Behavior

Health literacy is the first step to self-management of type II diabetes mellitus, of which physical activity is the least compliant behavior. However, no reviews have summarized the effect and the process of interventions of health literacy oriented programs on physical activity behavior among middle aged and older adults with type II diabetes mellitus. This article is the first to examine the effectiveness of health literacy oriented programs on physical activity behavior among middle aged and older adults with type II diabetes mellitus. This systematic review extracted articles from nine electronic databases between 1990 and 2013. Six interventional studies were extracted and reported in accordance with the guidance of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Findings demonstrated that health literacy oriented programs increased the frequency and duration of physical activity among patients with high health literacy. Although some studies effectively improved the health literacy of physical activity, gap in literature remains open for the indistinct and unreliable measurement of physical activity within self-management programs of type II diabetes mellitus, and the questionable cross-culture generalizability of findings. Further studies with well-knit theorybased intervention with respect to patients’ cultural background, duration of intervention and objective measurements are encouraged to elucidate the relationship between health literacy oriented programs and physical activity behavior.

Understanding Older Adults' Physical Activity Behavior: A Multi-Theoretical Approach

Quest ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janene M. Grodesky ◽  
Maria Kosma ◽  
Melinda A. Solmon
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Activity Behavior

Affective and Self-Efficacy Responses to Acute Aerobic Exercise in Sedentary Older and Younger Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian C. Focht ◽  
Deborah J. Knapp ◽  
Timothy P. Gavin ◽  
Thomas D. Raedeke ◽  
Robert C. Hickner
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Acute Exercise ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Feeling States ◽  
Acute Responses ◽  
The Relationship

This study examined the psychological responses to an acute bout of aerobic exercise in sedentary older and younger adults. Eighteen young (mean age 24 years) and 15 older adults (mean age 64 years) completed a 20-min bout of stationary cycling at 65% of VO2peak. Affective responses were assessed before, during, and immediately after exercise. Participants’ exercise self-efficacy beliefs were assessed before and immediately after exercise. Both groups reported reduced pleasant feeling states and self-efficacy and increased physical exhaustion in response to acute exercise. Older adults also demonstrated a significant decrease in revitalization during and after cycling. Correlation analyses revealed that self-efficacy was related to feelings of fatigue during exercise and postexercise feelings of energy and fatigue. Both groups reported negative shifts in affect and self-efficacy during and 5 min after cycling. Acute affective and self-efficacy responses might influence one’s motivation to adopt and maintain regular physical activity. The relationship between these acute responses and physical activity behavior across the life span warrants future inquiry.

Effects of Long-Term Resistance Training and Detraining on Strength and Physical Activity in Older Women

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M. Porter ◽  
Miriam E. Nelson ◽  
Maria A. Fiatarone Singh ◽  
Jennifer E. Layne ◽  
Christine M. Morganti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Behavior ◽  
Increased Strength

Resistance training (RT) increases strength in older adults, but there have been few studies of long-term RT or detraining in older adults. Postmenopausal participants (51–71 years of age) were randomized to RT or a control group for Year 1. For Year 2, participants chose whether to resistance train or not. Three groups emerged: train/train (n = 8: 60 ± 4 years), train/no train (n = 11: 62 ± 3 years), or controls (n = 17; 58 ± 6 years). Both training groups increased strength (p < .05) in Year 1. In Year 2, train/train maintained strength, whereas train/no train lost strength for knee extension (p < .001) but not for arm pulldown. Controls did not change. Reported physical activity levels were significantly increased in trainers in Year 1 and remained high regardless of RT in Year 2 (p < .05). Therefore, sustained changes in strength and physical activity behavior might be possible even if RT is discontinued.

scholarly journals Impact of a Wearable Device-Based Walking Programs in Rural Older Adults on Physical Activity and Health Outcomes: Cohort Study

10.2196/11335 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. e11335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Il-Young Jang ◽  
Hae Reong Kim ◽  
Eunju Lee ◽  
Hee-Won Jung ◽  
Hyelim Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Wearable Device ◽  
Walking Programs ◽  
Rural Older Adults

scholarly journals Perceived Facilitators and Barriers in Response to a Walking Intervention in Rural Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Exploration

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Frensham ◽  
Gaynor Parfitt ◽  
Rebecca Stanley ◽  
James Dollman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Walking Behavior ◽  
Walking Intervention

Physical activity has numerous associated benefits for cancer survivors. Compared to their urban counterparts, rural and remote Australians experience a health disadvantage, including poorer survival rate after the diagnosis of cancer. The purpose of this qualitative study was to (a) investigate factors that motivated or inhibited walking in rural participants during a 12-week intervention and (b) to investigate factors that motivated or inhibited physical activity behavior change three months post-intervention. Ten cancer survivors living in rural areas of South Australia participated in a 12-week computer-delivered walking-based intervention during which they reported daily steps, daily affect, and ratings of perceived exertion. Based on this information, individualized daily step goals were sent to them to increase walking. Following the intervention, participants engaged in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded using thematic analysis. Participants identified a range of physical, psychological, social, environmental, and organizational motivators and barriers. Participants appreciated the monitoring and support from the research team, but some voiced a need for better transition to post-program and many desired ongoing support to maintain their motivation. Future studies should incorporate strategies to help walking behavior to become more intrinsically motivated and therefore sustained.

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