scholarly journals Choose to Move: A Health Promoting Physical Activity Intervention Can Also Enhance Social Connectedness

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Franke ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Callista Ottoni ◽  
Heather A. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Meaningful Interaction ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background: Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens. Older adults are also at risk for loneliness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, PA interventions that aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term PA participation. The objectives of this mixed-method study are to: (1) evaluate whether an evidence-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) influenced PA and social connectedness differently among self-identified ‘lonely’ versus ‘not lonely’ older adults and (2) describe features of CTM that promote social connectedness.Methods:  Two community delivery partner organizations delivered 56 CTM programs in 26 urban locations across British Columbia. We collected survey data from participants (n=458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth interviews with a subset of older adults at baseline (n=43), mid-intervention (n=38) and post-intervention (n=19).Results: PA increased from baseline to 3 months in lonely and not lonely participants. PA decreased from 3-6 months in lonely participants; however, PA at 6 months remained above baseline levels in both groups. Loneliness decreased from baseline to 3 and 6 months in participants identifying as lonely at baseline. Features of CTM that influence social connectedness include: Activity coach characteristics/personality traits and approaches; opportunity to share information and experiences and learn from others; engagement with others who share similar/familiar experiences; increased opportunity for meaningful interaction; and accountability.Conclusion: PA interventions that focus on social connectedness, through group-based activities can improve the health of older adults by addressing both loneliness and PA. Building social connectedness within a PA intervention for older adults may support long term changes in PA behaviours.

scholarly journals “It makes me feel not so alone”: Features of the Choose to Move physical activity intervention that reduce loneliness in older adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Franke ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Callista Ottoni ◽  
Heather A. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Baseline Factors ◽  
Meaningful Interaction

Abstract Background: Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens. Older adults are also at risk for loneliness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, PA interventions that aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term PA participation. The objectives of this mixed-method study are to: (1) evaluate whether an evidence-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) influenced PA and loneliness differently among self-identified ‘lonely’ versus ‘not lonely’ older adults and (2) to describe factors within CTM components most likely to promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness.Methods:  CTM is a flexible, scalable, community-based health promoting physical activity intervention for older adults. Two community delivery partner organizations delivered 56 CTM programs in 26 urban locations across British Columbia. We collected survey data from participants (n=458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth interviews with a subset of older adults to understand how CTM facilitated or impeded their PA and social connectedness.Results: PA increased significantly from baseline to 3 months in lonely and not lonely participants. PA decreased significantly from 3-6 months in lonely participants; however, PA at 6 months remained significantly above baseline levels in both groups. Loneliness decreased significantly from baseline to 3 and 6 months in participants identifying as lonely at baseline. Factors within CTM components that promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness include: Activity coach characteristics/personality traits and approaches; opportunity to share information and experiences and learn from others; engagement with others who share similar/familiar experiences; increased opportunity for meaningful interaction; and accountability.Conclusion: Health promoting interventions that focus on PA and social connectedness through group-based activities can effectively reduce social isolation and loneliness of older adults. Given the ‘epidemic of loneliness’ that plagues many countries currently, these kinds of interventions are timely and important. Research that further delineates mechanisms (e.g., sharing experiences vs. lectures), that modify the effect of an intervention on social connectedness outcomes for older adults engaged in community-based PA programs would be a welcome addition to the literature.

scholarly journals “It makes me feel not so alone”: features of the Choose to Move physical activity intervention that reduce loneliness in older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Franke ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Callista Ottoni ◽  
Heather A. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Baseline Factors ◽  
Meaningful Interaction

Abstract Background Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens. Older adults are also at risk for loneliness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, PA interventions that aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term PA participation. The objectives of this mixed-method study are to: (1) evaluate whether an evidence-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) influenced PA and loneliness differently among self-identified ‘lonely’ versus ‘not lonely’ older adults and (2) to describe factors within CTM components most likely to promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness. Methods CTM is a flexible, scalable, community-based health promoting physical activity intervention for older adults. Two community delivery partner organizations delivered 56 CTM programs in 26 urban locations across British Columbia. We collected survey data from participants (n = 458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth interviews with a subset of older adults to understand how CTM facilitated or impeded their PA and social connectedness. Results PA increased significantly from baseline to 3 months in lonely and not lonely participants. PA decreased significantly from 3 to 6 months in lonely participants; however, PA at 6 months remained significantly above baseline levels in both groups. Loneliness decreased significantly from baseline to 3 and 6 months in participants identifying as lonely at baseline. Factors within CTM components that promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness include: Activity coach characteristics/personality traits and approaches; opportunity to share information and experiences and learn from others; engagement with others who share similar/familiar experiences; increased opportunity for meaningful interaction; and accountability. Conclusion Health promoting interventions that focus on PA and social connectedness through group-based activities can effectively reduce social isolation and loneliness of older adults. Given the ‘epidemic of loneliness’ that plagues many countries currently, these kinds of interventions are timely and important. Research that further delineates mechanisms (e.g., sharing experiences vs. lectures), that modify the effect of an intervention on social connectedness outcomes for older adults engaged in community-based PA programs would be a welcome addition to the literature.

scholarly journals "It makes me feel not so alone”: Features of a physical activity intervention that reduce loneliness in older adults. A Choose to Move study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Franke ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Callista Ottoni ◽  
Heather A. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Baseline Factors ◽  
Meaningful Interaction

Abstract Background: Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens. Older adults are also at risk for loneliness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, PA interventions that aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term PA participation. The objectives of this mixed-method study are to: (1) evaluate whether an evidence-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) influenced PA and loneliness differently among self-identified ‘lonely’ versus ‘not lonely’ older adults and (2) to describe factors within CTM components most likely to promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness.Methods:  Choose to Move is a flexible, scalable, community-based health promoting physical activity intervention for older adults. Two community delivery partner organizations delivered 56 CTM programs in 26 urban locations across British Columbia. We collected survey data from participants (n=458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth interviews with a subset of older adults at baseline (n=43), mid-intervention (n=38) and post-intervention (n=19).Results: PA increased significantly from baseline to 3 months in lonely and not lonely participants. PA decreased significantly from 3-6 months in lonely participants; however, PA at 6 months remained significantly above baseline levels in both groups. Loneliness decreased significantly from baseline to 3 and 6 months in participants identifying as lonely at baseline. Factors within CTM components that promote social connectedness/reduce loneliness include: Activity coach characteristics/personality traits and approaches; opportunity to share information and experiences and learn from others; engagement with others who share similar/familiar experiences; increased opportunity for meaningful interaction; and accountability.Conclusion: Health promoting interventions that focus on PA and social connectedness through group-based activities can effectively reduce social isolation and loneliness of older adults. Given the ‘epidemic of loneliness’ that plagues many countries currently, these kinds of interventions are timely and important. Research that clearly delineates mechanisms that modify the effect of an intervention on social connectedness outcomes for older adults engaged in community-based PA programs would be a welcome addition to the literature.

Status Quo or Drop-Off: Do Older Adults Maintain Benefits From Choose to Move—A Scaled-Up Physical Activity Program—12 Months After Withdrawing From the Intervention?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Heather A. McKay ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Heather M. Macdonald ◽  
Karim M. Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Secondary Objective ◽  
Baseline Values

Background: Choose to Move is one of few scaled-up health-promoting interventions for older adults. The authors evaluated whether Choose to Move participants maintained their intervention-related gains in physical activity (PA), mobility, and social connectedness 12 months after the intervention ended. Methods: The authors assessed PA, mobility, loneliness, social isolation, and muscle strength via questionnaire and objective measures in 235 older adults at 0 months (baseline), 6 months (end of intervention), and 18 months (12-months postintervention). The authors fitted linear mixed models to examine the change in each outcome from 6 to 18 months (primary objective) and 0 to 18 months (secondary objective) and reported by age group (60–74 and ≥75 y). Results: In younger participants, PA decreased between 6 and 18 months, but remained significantly higher than at baseline. Intervention-related benefits in loneliness, social isolation, mobility, and muscle strength were maintained between 6 and 18 months in the younger participants. Older participants maintained their intervention benefits in loneliness, mobility, and muscle strength. When compared with baseline values, PA levels in older participants were unchanged, whereas social isolation increased. Conclusions: Older adults maintained some, but not all, health benefits of Choose to Move 12 months after the intervention ended. Long-term commitments are needed to deliver effective health-promoting interventions for older adults if benefits are to be maintained.

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

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 104 ◽  
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

Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: Long-Term Reduction After a Physical Activity Intervention

2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Motl ◽  
James F. Konopack ◽  
Edward McAuley ◽  
Steriani Elavsky ◽  
Gerald J. Jerome ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention

scholarly journals LONELINESS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER AGE: RESULTS OF THE RANDOMISED CONTROLLED STUDY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION FOR LONELINESS (PAIL) IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
Anastasia Shvedko
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Study objective. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of a Physical Activity Intervention for Loneliness (PAIL) in community-dwelling older adults at risk of loneliness. Methods. Study design was a 12-week randomized controlled feasibility trial (RCT). Participants were 25 (mean age 68.5(8.05) years, range 60-92) healthy, inactive, community-dwelling older adults at risk for loneliness. The intervention consisted of group outdoor walking sessions with health education workshops once weekly, with a wait-list control condition. Estimation of recruitment, retention and adherence were feasibility outcomes. Body mass index, blood pressure, physical activity, and psychosocial variables were secondary outcomes. Results. Forty-eight participants were recruited over 4 months with a recruitment rate of 52.1% (25/48); 52% (25/48) met the inclusion criteria and 100% (25/25) were randomized into the intervention (N=12) and wait-listed (WL) control groups (N=13). At 12 weeks, 10/12 (83.3%; 95% CI 55.20 to 95.30) intervention and 10/13 (76.9%; 95% CI 49.74 to 91.82) control participants completed final assessments. The average attendance rate was 69.2% for the intervention group (range 25% – 91.7%) and 55% (range 25% – 91.7%) among controls. The a priori recruitment criteria for progression was not met. The retention rate satisfied the criteria of the study. No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions. Community-dwelling older adults at risk of loneliness can safely participate in physical activity intervention for loneliness. However, to progress into a large-scale RCT, the design and methodology would need to be changed.

scholarly journals Experiences of Habitual Physical Activity in Maintaining Roles and Functioning among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadeel Halaweh ◽  
Ulla Svantesson ◽  
Carin Willén
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Habitual Physical Activity ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Status ◽  
Protective Strategy ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Age Related Changes

Physically active older adults have reduced risk of functional restrictions and role limitations. Several aspects may interrelate and influence habitual physical activity (PA). However, older adults’ own perspectives towards their PA need to be addressed. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of habitual physical activity in maintaining roles and functioning among older adult Palestinians ≥60 years. Data were collected through in-depth interviews based on a narrative approach. Seventeen participants were recruited (aged 64–84 years). Data were analyzed using a narrative interpretative method.Findings. Three central narratives were identified,“keep moving, stay healthy,”“social connectedness, a motive to stay active,”and “adapting strategies to age-related changes.” Conclusion. Habitual physical activity was perceived as an important factor to maintain functioning and to preserve active roles in older adults. Walking was the most prominent pattern of physical activity and it was viewed as a vital tool to maintain functioning among the older adults. Social connectedness was considered as a contributing factor to the status of staying active. To adapt the process of age-related changes in a context to stay active, the participants have used different adapting strategies, including protective strategy, awareness of own capabilities, and modifying or adopting new roles.

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