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Interventions to increase physical activity among aging adults: a meta-analysis
Vicki S Conn1, Jeffrey C Valentine, Harris M Cooper
1School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia, 65211, USA. conn@missouri.edu
Summary
Interventions increasing physical activity in older adults show a small positive effect. Group-based, moderate-intensity, self-monitored, and center-based programs are most effective for this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Aging adults often experience decreased physical activity.
- Maintaining activity is crucial for health and well-being in later life.
- Evidence-based interventions are needed to promote activity in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate findings from primary research on interventions designed to increase physical activity in older adults.
- To identify characteristics of effective activity interventions for individuals aged 60 years and over.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search identified published and unpublished intervention studies.
- Studies included participants with a mean age of 60 years or greater and a minimum of five participants.
- Meta-analytic procedures were used to synthesize primary study results.
Main Results:
- The overall effect size for interventions was d(w) = .26 +/- .05.
- Larger effect sizes were observed for interventions targeting only activity behavior, excluding general health education, and incorporating self-monitoring.
- Interventions utilizing center-based exercise, moderate intensity, group delivery, intense interventionist contact, and targeting patient populations showed greater efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Group-delivered interventions promoting moderate, self-monitored, center-based activity are recommended for older adults.
- Patient populations appear particularly responsive to activity interventions.
- Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm causal relationships.