Adherence to community based group exercise interventions for older people: A mixed-methods systematic review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Lifelong physical activity is crucial for healthy aging, yet physical activity levels decline with age.
• Community-based exercise programs offer a potential avenue to maintain activity in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review participant views and adherence rates in community-based exercise programs lasting at least six months.

Main Methods:

• Conducted systematic searches across eight scientific databases (1995-2014).
• Included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies.
• Synthesized findings thematically and narratively, comparing qualitative and quantitative results.

Main Results:

• Identified six key themes influencing adherence: social connectedness, perceived benefits, program design, empowering effects, instructor influence, and individual behavior.
• Mean adherence rate was 69.1% (SD 14.6).
• Program design emerged as a common factor across qualitative and quantitative findings.

Conclusions:

• Evidence on long-term adherence and participant views in these programs is limited.
• Community-based group exercise programs demonstrate a potential long-term adherence rate of approximately 70%.
• Incorporating older adults' perspectives into program design may foster innovative interventions for sustained adherence.