Exercise-focused wellness interventions for middle-aged adults: a scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health
• Exercise Science and Wellness Studies

Background:

• Middle-aged adults experience significant physical and psychosocial challenges impacting overall wellness.
• Exercise is recognized for its benefits to physical and psychosocial health, making it a cornerstone of wellness interventions.
• Current understanding of exercise-focused wellness interventions specifically for middle-aged adults is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review identifying and mapping literature on exercise-focused wellness interventions for middle-aged adults.
• To summarize the characteristics of these interventions, including content, delivery, and duration.
• To report on the outcomes associated with these exercise-focused wellness interventions.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review methodology was employed.
• Six major academic databases were searched, with subsequent screening of reference lists.
• Included studies were interventional, specifically randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental designs, focusing on exercise for middle-aged adults.

Main Results:

• Fifteen studies (9 RCTs, 6 quasi-experimental) were included, predominantly targeting middle-aged women in community settings.
• Interventions commonly combined exercise with diet and stress management, typically lasting 3 months with weekly sessions.
• Positive outcomes were frequently reported for physical and psychosocial health, with limited changes observed in biochemical markers.

Conclusions:

• Exercise-focused wellness interventions demonstrate varied content and outcomes, positively impacting physical, psychological, and social health dimensions.
• Diverse delivery modes highlight the adaptability of these interventions for tailored approaches.
• There is a critical need for a validated, midlife-specific wellness measurement tool and the development of targeted interventions for middle-aged men, particularly in workplace settings.