Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
07:27
Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty
Published on: October 6, 2016
A profile for predicting attrition from exercise in older adults
Sean P Mullen1, Thomas R Wójcicki, Emily L Mailey
1Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, Freer Hall 227, 906 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. spmullen@illinois.edu
Summary
Predicting attrition in older adults
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Science
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Older adults often struggle with adherence to long-term exercise programs.
- Identifying predictors of attrition is crucial for successful intervention design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a predictive profile for identifying older adults likely to drop out of a 12-month exercise program.
- To validate this profile for screening participants before study enrollment.
Main Methods:
- Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used on baseline data from 179 older adults in a randomized controlled trial.
- Data included functional performance (balance, stair test) and psychosocial measures (memory complaints, self-efficacy).
- Participants were categorized as 'dropouts' (n=35) or 'completers' (n=144).
Main Results:
- Two distinct profiles emerged based on memory complaints, self-efficacy, and functional performance.
- Dropouts were almost twice as likely to belong to a profile characterized by higher memory complaints, lower self-efficacy, poorer balance, and slower stair negotiation.
Conclusions:
- A validated profile can discriminate between older adults who will complete or drop out of exercise programs.
- This profile may aid in screening and tailoring interventions for better adherence in older adults.
Related Concept Videos
02:20Longitudinal Research
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...