scholarly journals Challenges and lessons learnt from the ENJOY project: recommendations for future collaborative research implementation framework with local governments for improving the environment to promote physical activity for older people

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pazit Levinger ◽  
Jeremy Dunn ◽  
Maya Panisset ◽  
Briony Dow ◽  
Frances Batchelor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Interactive Systems ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Lessons Learnt ◽  
Exercise Equipment

Abstract Background The physical environment has been shown to have a positive effect on the promotion of physical activity of older people. Outdoor environments that incorporate specialised exercise equipment suitable for older people are uniquely placed to promote physical activity and social connectedness amongst older people. The ENJOY project included the installation of specialised outdoor exercise equipment (the Seniors Exercise Park) and the delivery of a physical and social activity program for older people as part of a prospective pre-post research design. The installation of the specialised equipment in public sites and an aged care facility was also aimed at increasing usage of the equipment by older people from the wider community and to increase physical and social activities. Method A conceptual framework for implementation and several engagement methods were utilised to guide the research and to support the participating partners throughout the project. This paper is a reflective narrative describing the collaborative process and approach utilised to engage local governments and community, and reports the challenges and the lessons learnt to inform future strategies for implementation. Results The conceptual framework for the implementation process that guided the conduct and delivery of the ENJOY project included the core elements of the Interactive Systems Framework and the ecologic framework. These models incorporate elements of research-to-practice and community-centred implementation to accommodate the unique perspectives of a range of stakeholders. Conclusion Partner characteristics such as local governments’ structure and policy as well as community factors can impact on implementation. Partnership with local governments with effective communication, strategic planning and community and seniors engagement approaches are recommended for successful implementation. The lessons learnt can further assist public health research design around changes to the built environment to positively impact on older people’s physical activity levels. Trial registration Trial registration number ACTRN12618001727235. Date of registration 19th October 2018, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375979

scholarly journals Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY for older people – results from the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park project translation research in the community

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pazit Levinger ◽  
Maya Panisset ◽  
Jeremy Dunn ◽  
Terry Haines ◽  
Briony Dow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Fear Of Falls

Abstract Background Many research studies evaluate physical activity interventions for older people in the community, however relatively few successfully promote maintenance of physical activity beyond the completion of the intervention. This study aimed to implement and evaluate the effects of sustained engagement in physical activity on mental, social and physical health outcomes through the use of the Seniors Exercise Park physical activity program for older people (the ENJOY project). Method People aged ≥60 years underwent a 12-week structured supervised physical activity program using outdoor exercise park equipment followed by 6 months unstructured independent use of the exercise park. Participants were assessed at baseline, 3 months and 9 months and completed a test battery evaluating physical activity, physical function and health related quality of life measures. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare differences between baseline, 3 and 9 months. Results Of the 95 participants, 80 (84.2%) completed the 3 months supervised program, and 58 (61%) completed the 9 month assessment (the latter impacted by COVID-19 restrictions). A significant increase in physical activity level was demonstrated following the 12 weeks intervention (p < 0.01). Significant improvements were also demonstrated in all physical function measures (p < 0.01), self-rated quality of life (p < 0.05), wellbeing (p < 0.01), fear of falls (p < 0.01), falls risk (p < 0.01), depressive symptoms (p = 0.01) and loneliness (p = 0.03) at 3 months. At the 9 months follow up, significant improvements from baseline were demonstrated in the frequency, duration and total of physical activity level (p < 0.05), and all physical function measures (p < 0.05), with no decline in these measures from 3 to 9 months. At 9 months, significant changes were observed in the health related quality of life mobility and self care domains with reductions in both fear of falls and falls risk (p < 0.05). Conclusion The Seniors Exercise Park may be an effective modality for improving and sustaining older people’s physical function and wellbeing and can be an important public health infrastructure investment in promoting physical activity for older people. Future work should focus on wider implementation of the program and on scaling up this initiative to achieve public health benefit for the community. Trial registration Trial registration number ACTRN12618001727235, Date of registration 19th October 2018, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375979

scholarly journals Programming the physical activity of seniors in local social policy

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-139
Author(s):  
Ryszard Majer ◽  
Jarosław Rodzik
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Older People ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
National Level ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Physical Activation ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

Extensive processes of aging naturally should arouse interest in local social policy wizards older people and keeping them in good health what undoubtedly contributes to physical activity. The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the extent of physical activity of older people is of interest to local government decision-makers in the process of programming of local social policy. Research methods and materials: The research was conducted on the basis of local social policy program documents, which should be compulsorily developed in each commune long-term strategies for solving social problems and (non-obligatory) local senior policy programs from the area of the Silesian Voivodeship. 155 strategies for solving social problems were analyzed (167 communes in the voivodship). Results: In the documents dominated inclusion of seniors in the diagnostic part (94 cases) and planning (85 cases) and only in the case of 11 local governments developed a separate program for senior citizens. Despite a number of indications regarding the physical activation of older people resulting from program documents undertaken at the European and national level, local documents deal with this issue marginally and it is clearly underestimated at the level of program declarations. Conclusions: Deficits in the activity of seniors at the level of program declarations seem to result from two basic factors, the lack of knowledge among the creators of local social policy, incl. social workers, who should be made sensitive to the above issues through properly profiled training, and the lack of effective lobbying which should be carried out by senior councils and non-governmental organizations.

Understanding Why Older People Develop a Wish to Die

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Rurup ◽  
H. R. W. Pasman ◽  
J. Goedhart ◽  
D. J. H. Deeg ◽  
A. J. F. M. Kerkhof ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Traumatic Life Events ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Wish To Die ◽  
Open Coding ◽  
Death Wishes ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background: Quantitative studies in several European countries showed that 10–20% of older people have or have had a wish to die. Aims: To improve our understanding of why some older people develop a wish to die. Methods: In-depth interviews with people with a wish to die (n = 31) were carried out. Through open coding and inductive analysis, we developed a conceptual framework to describe the development of death wishes. Respondents were selected from two cohort studies. Results: The wish to die had either been triggered suddenly after traumatic life events or had developed gradually after a life full of adversity, as a consequence of aging or illness, or after recurring depression. The respondents were in a situation they considered unacceptable, yet they felt they had no control to change their situation and thus progressively “gave up” trying. Recurring themes included being widowed, feeling lonely, being a victim, being dependent, and wanting to be useful. Developing thoughts about death as a positive thing or a release from problems seemed to them like a way to reclaim control. Conclusions: People who wish to die originally develop thoughts about death as a positive solution to life events or to an adverse situation, and eventually reach a balance of the wish to live and to die.

The Evolution of Physical Activity on Prescription (FaR) in Sweden

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Surgeon General ◽  
Positive Effects

In 1996, the first Report of the US Surgeon General on Physical Activity and Health provided an extensive knowledge overview about the positive effects of physical activity (PA) on several health outcomes and PA recommendations. This contributed to an enhanced interest for PA in Sweden. The Swedish Professional Associations for Physical Activity (YFA) were appointed to form a Scientific Expert Group in the project “Sweden on the Move” and YFA created the idea of Physical Activity on Prescription (FaR) and the production of a handbook (FYSS) for healthcare professionals. In Swedish primary care, licensed healthcare professionals, i.e. physicians, physiotherapists and nurses, can prescribe PA if they have sufficient knowledge about the patient’s current state of health, how PA can be used for promotion, prevention and treatment and are trained in patient-centred counselling and the FaR method. The prescription is followed individually or by visiting local FaR providers. These include sport associations, patient organisations, municipal facilities, commercial providers such as gyms, sports clubs and walking clubs or other organisations with FaR educated staff such as health promoters or personal trainers. In clinical practice, the FaR method increases the level of PA in primary care patients, at 6 and at 12 months. Self-reported adherence to the prescription was 65% at 6 months, similar to the known compliance for medications. In a randomised controlled trial, FaR significantly improved body composition and reduced metabolic risk factors. It is suggested that a successful implementation of PA in healthcare depends on a combination of a systems approach (socio-ecological model) and the strengthening of individual motivation and capability. General support from policymakers, healthcare leadership and professional associations is important. To lower barriers, tools for implementation and structures for delivery must be readily available. Examples include handbooks such as FYSS, the FaR system and the use of pedometers.

scholarly journals A Multi-Domain Group-Based Intervention to Promote Physical Activity, Healthy Nutrition and Psychological Wellbeing in Older People with Losses in Intrinsic Capacity: AMICOPE Development Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5979
Author(s):  
Sergi Blancafort Alias ◽  
César Cuevas-Lara ◽  
Nicolás Martínez-Velilla ◽  
Fabricio Zambom-Ferraresi ◽  
Maria Eugenia Soto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Preventive Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
World Health ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Healthy Nutrition ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Intrinsic Capacity

The World Health Organization has developed the Integrated Care of Older People (ICOPE) strategy, a program based on the measurement of intrinsic capacity (IC) as “the composite of all physical and mental attributes on which an individual can draw”. Multicomponent interventions appear to be the most effective approach to enhance IC and to prevent frailty and disability since adapted physical activity is the preventive intervention that has shown the most evidence in the treatment of frailty and risk of falls. Our paper describes the development of a multi-domain group-based intervention addressed to older people living in the community, aimed at improving and/or maintaining intrinsic capacity by means of promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition, and psychological wellbeing in older people. The process of intervention development is described following the Guidance for reporting intervention development studies in health research (GUIDED). The result of this study is the AMICOPE intervention (Aptitude Multi-domain group-based intervention to improve and/or maintain IC in Older PEople) built upon the ICOPE framework and described following the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) guidelines. The intervention consists of 12 face-to-face sessions held weekly for 2.5 h over three months and facilitated by a pair of health and social care professionals. This study represents the first stage of the UK Medical Research Council framework for developing and evaluating a complex intervention. The next step should be carrying out a feasibility study for the AMICOPE intervention and, at a later stage, assessing the effectiveness in a randomized controlled trial.

scholarly journals Annual rhythms in adults’ lifestyle and health (ARIA): protocol for a 12-month longitudinal study examining temporal patterns in weight, activity, diet, and wellbeing in Australian adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel G. Curtis ◽  
Timothy Olds ◽  
François Fraysse ◽  
Dorothea Dumuid ◽  
Gilly A. Hendrie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Multi Level

Abstract Background Almost one in three Australian adults are now obese, and the rate continues to rise. The causes of obesity are multifaceted and include environmental, cultural and lifestyle factors. Emerging evidence suggests there may be temporal patterns in weight gain related, for example, to season and major festivals such as Christmas, potentially due to changes in diet, daily activity patterns or both. The aim of this study is to track the annual rhythm in body weight, 24 h activity patterns, dietary patterns, and wellbeing in a cohort of Australian adults. In addition, through data linkage with a concurrent children’s cohort study, we aim to examine whether changes in children’s body mass index, activity and diet are related to those of their parents. Methods A community-based sample of 375 parents aged 18 to 65 years old, residing in or near Adelaide, Australia, and who have access to a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device or a computer and home internet, will be recruited. Across a full year, daily activities (minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) will be measured using wrist-worn accelerometry (Fitbit Charge 3). Body weight will be measured daily using Fitbit wifi scales. Self-reported dietary intake (Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies V3.2), and psychological wellbeing (WHOQOL-BREF and DASS-21) will be assessed eight times throughout the 12-month period. Annual patterns in weight will be examined using Lowess curves. Associations between changes in weight and changes in activity and diet compositions will be examined using repeated measures multi-level models. The associations between parent’s and children’s weight, activity and diet will be investigated using multi-level models. Discussion Temporal factors, such as day type (weekday or weekend day), cultural celebrations and season, may play a key role in weight gain. The aim is to identify critical opportunities for intervention to assist the prevention of weight gain. Family-based interventions may be an important intervention strategy. Trial registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, identifier ACTRN12619001430123. Prospectively registered on 16 October 2019.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document