Correlates of Self-Regulation for Physical Activity Among Older Adults

BACKGROUND Physical activity can prolong the ability of older adults to live independently. Home-based exercises can help achieve the recommended physical activity levels. A blended intervention was developed to support older adults in performing home-based exercises. A tablet and a personal coach were provided to facilitate the self-regulation of exercise behavior. OBJECTIVE In line with the Medical Research Council framework, this study aimed to carry out process evaluation of a blended intervention. The objectives were (1) to assess the long-term usability of the tablet adopted in the blended intervention and (2) to explore how the tablet, in conjunction with a personal coach, supported older adults in performing home-based exercises. METHODS The process evaluation was conducted with a mixed-methods approach. At baseline, older adults participating in the blended intervention were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their general experience with information and communication technology (ICT) devices and rate their own skill level. After 6 months, participants filled out the Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of use (USE) questionnaire to assess the usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use of the tablet. With a random selection of participants, in-depth interviews were held to explore how the tablet and coach supported the self-regulation. The interviews were double coded and analyzed with the directed content analysis method. RESULTS At baseline, 29% (65/224) of participants who started the intervention (mean age 72 years) filled out the ICT survey and 36% (37/103) of participants who used the tablet for 6 months (mean age 71 years) filled out the USE questionnaire. Furthermore, with 17% (18/103) of participants (mean age 73 years), follow-up interviews were held. The results of the baseline questionnaire showed that the large majority of participants already had experience with a tablet, used it regularly, and reported being skillful in operating ICT devices. After 6 months of use, the participants rated the usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use of the tablet on average as 3.8, 4.2, and 4.1, respectively, on a 5-point scale. The analysis of the interviews showed that the participants felt that the tablet supported action planning, behavior execution, and self-monitoring. On the other hand, especially during the first few months, the personal coach added value during the goal setting, behavior execution, and evaluation phases of self-regulation. CONCLUSIONS The results of the process evaluation showed that older adults who participated in the study were positive about the blended intervention that was designed to support them in performing home-based exercises. Participants reported that the tablet helped them to perform the exercises better, more frequently, and safely. It supported them in various phases of self-regulation. The availability of a personal coach was nevertheless crucial. To support physical activity in older adults, a blended approach is promising.

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Evaluation of a Blended Physical Activity Intervention for Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/16380 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. e16380 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sumit Mehra ◽

Jantine van den Helder ◽

Bart Visser ◽

Raoul H H Engelbert ◽

Peter J M Weijs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Process Evaluation ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Ease Of Use ◽

The Self ◽

Added Value ◽

Home Based ◽

Blended Intervention

Background Physical activity can prolong the ability of older adults to live independently. Home-based exercises can help achieve the recommended physical activity levels. A blended intervention was developed to support older adults in performing home-based exercises. A tablet and a personal coach were provided to facilitate the self-regulation of exercise behavior. Objective In line with the Medical Research Council framework, this study aimed to carry out process evaluation of a blended intervention. The objectives were (1) to assess the long-term usability of the tablet adopted in the blended intervention and (2) to explore how the tablet, in conjunction with a personal coach, supported older adults in performing home-based exercises. Methods The process evaluation was conducted with a mixed-methods approach. At baseline, older adults participating in the blended intervention were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their general experience with information and communication technology (ICT) devices and rate their own skill level. After 6 months, participants filled out the Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of use (USE) questionnaire to assess the usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use of the tablet. With a random selection of participants, in-depth interviews were held to explore how the tablet and coach supported the self-regulation. The interviews were double coded and analyzed with the directed content analysis method. Results At baseline, 29% (65/224) of participants who started the intervention (mean age 72 years) filled out the ICT survey and 36% (37/103) of participants who used the tablet for 6 months (mean age 71 years) filled out the USE questionnaire. Furthermore, with 17% (18/103) of participants (mean age 73 years), follow-up interviews were held. The results of the baseline questionnaire showed that the large majority of participants already had experience with a tablet, used it regularly, and reported being skillful in operating ICT devices. After 6 months of use, the participants rated the usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use of the tablet on average as 3.8, 4.2, and 4.1, respectively, on a 5-point scale. The analysis of the interviews showed that the participants felt that the tablet supported action planning, behavior execution, and self-monitoring. On the other hand, especially during the first few months, the personal coach added value during the goal setting, behavior execution, and evaluation phases of self-regulation. Conclusions The results of the process evaluation showed that older adults who participated in the study were positive about the blended intervention that was designed to support them in performing home-based exercises. Participants reported that the tablet helped them to perform the exercises better, more frequently, and safely. It supported them in various phases of self-regulation. The availability of a personal coach was nevertheless crucial. To support physical activity in older adults, a blended approach is promising.

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Role Of Self-regulation In A Community-based Physical Activity Intervention For Older Adults

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000518407.29375.ac ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (5S) ◽

pp. 544

Author(s):

Carly E. Babino ◽

Michelle A. Peterson ◽

Wan-chin Kuo ◽

Randall J. Gretebeck ◽

Kimberlee A. Gretebeck

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Community Based

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Psychological and Environmental Correlates of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Step Counts Among Older Adults With Cognitive Decline

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.1177/0031512519846026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 126 (4) ◽

pp. 639-655

Author(s):

Kazuhiro Harada ◽

Sangyoon Lee ◽

Sungchul Lee ◽

Seongryu Bae ◽

Kenji Harada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Neighborhood Environment ◽

Stepwise Multiple Regression ◽

Gender And Age

Promoting physical activity (PA) among older adults with cognitive decline is important for maintaining and improving their health. Identifying psychological and environmental PA correlates in this population can help develop effective strategies for PA promotion. Since past findings with healthy older adults may not generalize to those with cognitive decline, this study offers data on how self-efficacy, self-regulation, and social-environmental factors were associated with PA among a group of older adults with cognitive decline. We report secondary analysis of baseline data from a randomized control study of 262 older participants ( M = 76.2 years) who showed a decline in global cognitive function as defined by Mini-Mental State Examination scores between 21 and 24. The participants’ PA was measured by an accelerometer, and participants completed questionnaires measuring self-efficacy, self-regulation, social support, social network, and demographic variables. In this study, we evaluated the participants' neighborhood environment with a geographic information system and found through stepwise multiple regression analyses that self-efficacy, gender, and age were associated with PA variables, while self-regulation and environmental factors were not. Thus, perceived self-efficacy was an important psychological correlate of PA in this group of older adults with cognitive decline. PA promotion interventions for this population should attend to self-efficacy, gender, and age.

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Examining Potential Psychosocial Mediators in a Physical Activity Intervention for Older Adults

Western Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/0193945919871697 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 (8) ◽

pp. 581-592

Author(s):

Siobhan K McMahon ◽

Beth Lewis ◽

J Michael Oakes ◽

Jean F Wyman ◽

Weihua Guan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Goal Attainment ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Clinical Trial Registry ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Intervention Effects ◽

Psychosocial Mediators

The purpose of this study was to examine psychosocial constructs targeted as potential mediators in a prior physical activity (PA) intervention study. This secondary analysis used data from 102 older adults randomized to one of four conditions—within a 2 (Interpersonal Strategies: yes, no) x 2 (Intrapersonal Strategies: yes, no) factorial design. We tested intervention effects on social support, self-efficacy, self-regulation, and goal attainment, and whether these constructs mediated intervention effects on PA. Participants who received interventions with interpersonal strategies, compared to those who did not, increased their readiness (post-intervention), the self-regulation subscale of self-assessment, and goal attainment (post-intervention, 6-months). Participants who received interventions with intrapersonal strategies, compared to those who did not, increased their social support from family (post-intervention). There was no statistically significant mediation. To understand mechanisms through which interventions increase older adults’ PA and to improve intervention effectiveness, researchers should continue to examine potential psychosocial mediators. Clinical Trial Registry: NCT02433249.

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Self-Regulatory Imagery and Physical Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Social-Cognitive Perspective

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2016-0024 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 14-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria-Christina Kosteli ◽

Jennifer Cumming ◽

Sarah E. Williams

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Outcome Expectations ◽

Self Report ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Efficacy Outcome ◽

Exercise Imagery

Limited research has investigated exercise imagery use in middle-aged and older adults and its relationship with affective and behavioral correlates. The study examined the association between self-regulatory imagery and physical activity (PA) through key social cognitive variables. Middle-aged and older adults (N = 299; M age = 59.73 years, SD = 7.73, range = 50 to 80) completed self-report measures assessing self-regulatory imagery use, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, perceived barriers, self-regulatory behavior, enjoyment, and PA levels. Path analysis supported a model (χ² [14] = 21.76, p = .08, CFI = .99, TLI = .97, SRMR = .03, RMSEA = .04) whereby self-regulatory imagery positively predicted self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and self-regulatory behaviors. Furthermore, self-regulatory imagery indirectly predicted barriers, outcome expectations, self-regulation, enjoyment, and PA. This research highlights self-regulatory imagery as an effective strategy in modifying exercise-related cognitions and behaviors. Incorporating social cognitive constructs into the design of imagery interventions may increase PA engagement.

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Social Cognitive Determinants of Physical Activity in Czech Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2015-0125 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 196-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jiri Mudrak ◽

Pavel Slepicka ◽

Steriani Elavsky

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Cognitive Model ◽

Cognitive Constructs

We tested a social cognitive model of physical activity (PA) in the cultural context of the Czech Republic, a postcommunist central European country. In total, 546 older Czech adults (mean age = 68 years, data collected in 2013) completed a battery of questionnaires assessing indicators of PA and related social cognitive constructs, including self-efficacy, social support, and self-regulation strategies. Subsequently, a structural equation model was used to test the relationship between the social cognitive constructs and PA. Our analyses indicated an acceptable fit of the proposed model (CFI = .911; SRMR = .046; RMSEA = .073). Self-regulation was predicted by self-efficacy (β = .67) and social support (β = .23), which predicted PA (β = .45). The model explained 60.4% of the variance in PA self-regulation and 20.5% of the variance in PA participation. The results provide further evidence for the role of self-efficacy and social support in enabling PA in older adults, and suggest that this relationship is partially mediated by self-regulation.

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When Adults Don’t Exercise: Behavioral Strategies to Increase Physical Activity in Sedentary Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igy007 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Margie E Lachman ◽

Lewis Lipsitz ◽

James Lubben ◽

Carmen Castaneda-Sceppa ◽

Alan M Jette

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Behavior Change ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Beliefs ◽

Behavioral Strategies ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Behavior Change Interventions

Abstract Physical activity is one of the most promising nonpharmacological, noninvasive, and cost-effective methods of health-promotion, yet statistics show that only a small percentage of middle-aged and older adults engage in the recommended amount of regular exercise. This state of affairs is less likely due to a lack of knowledge about the benefits of exercise than to failures of motivation and self-regulatory mechanisms. Many types of intervention programs target exercise in later life, but they typically do not achieve sustained behavior change, and there has been very little increase in the exercise rate in the population over the last decade. The goal of this paper is to consider the use of effective low-cost motivational and behavioral strategies for increasing physical activity, which could have far-reaching benefits at the individual and population levels. We present a multicomponent framework to guide development of behavior change interventions to increase and maintain physical activity among sedentary adults and others at risk for health problems. This involves a personalized approach to motivation and behavior change, which includes social support, goal setting, and positive affect coupled with cognitive restructuring of negative and self-defeating attitudes and misconceptions. These strategies can lead to increases in exercise self-efficacy and control beliefs as well as self- management skills such as self-regulation and action planning, which in turn are expected to lead to long-term increases in activity. These changes in activity frequency and intensity can ultimately lead to improvements in physical and psychological well-being among middle-aged and older adults, including those from underserved, vulnerable populations. Even a modest increase in physical activity can have a significant impact on health and quality of life. Recommendations for future interventions include a focus on ways to achieve personalized approaches, broad outreach, and maintenance of behavior changes.

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