Groningen active living model (GALM): stimulating physical activity in sedentary older adults; first results

A significant proportion of older adults in The Netherlands does not regularly participate in leisure-time physical activity. The Groningen Active Living Model (GALM) was developed to change this situation for the better. In this article the first results with respect to the validation of the model are presented.

We obtained cross-sectional data from a sample of 392 potential participants. Scores on the potentially causal variables (self-efficacy, social support, perceived fitness, and enjoyment) and the stages of change give a first indication of the potential validity of the GALM behavioral change model.

Seventeen percent of the subjects could be categorized as in the precontemplation stage, 42% in the contemplation/preparation stage, and 39% in the action/maintenance stage. Data with respect to stages of change were missing for 2% of the subjects. Scores on all potentially causal variables rose significantly from the precontemplation to the action/maintenance stage. Discriminant analysis resulted in a canonical correlation of 0.58 between the precontemplation and the contemplation/preparation stages and 0.59 between the contemplation/preparation and action/maintenance stages; respectively, 82.6 and 78.3% of the subjects had been classified correctly.

The results found in this study support our hypothesis, as described in the conceptual theory of the GALM behavioral change model. For a more comprehensive validation of the model's action theory and conceptual theory, follow-up measurements are required.