A CHOICE-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ACTIVE TRAVEL INTERVENTION FOR OLDER MEN

• Published in: Innovation in aging Vol. 1; no. suppl_1; p. 443
• Main Authors: Mackey, D.C., Perkins, A., Hong Tai, K., Sims-Gould, J., McKay, H.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 01-07-2017
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 2399-5300; 2399-5300
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.1587

Low levels of physical activity contribute to loss of mobility and independence in older men. We conducted a 12-week randomized controlled feasibility trial of choice-based physical activity (PA) and active travel. Participants were community-dwelling ‘low active’ men aged 60+ (n=29 intervention (INT), n=29 waitlist control). Trained activity coaches delivered: 1) one-on-one participant consultations to develop personal action plans for PA and active travel; 2) monthly group-based motivational meetings; 3) weekly telephone support; 4) complimentary recreation and transit passes; and 5) pedometers and diaries for self-monitoring. INT chose a wide range of group-based and individual PAs (e.g., group exercise classes, walking, cycling) and destinations (e.g., parks, cities, shops/restaurants) for their personal action plans. At 12 weeks, INT achieved 9.0 more minutes/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA (p=0.06) and 1140 more steps/day (p=0.04), engaged in 5.2 more moderate intensity PAs/week (p<0.01), and expended 1493 more kcal of energy/week from moderate PAs (p=0.02). INT was 4.2 times more likely to take at least one transit trip/week (95%CI:1.2–18.0) and 3.3 times more likely to meet national guidelines of ≥150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA in bouts of ≥10 minutes (95%CI:0.75–16.3). At 24 weeks follow-up (12 weeks after intervention end), INT benefits relative to baseline were sustained for minutes/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA, number of moderate intensity PAs/week, and kcal of energy/week from moderate PAs. In conclusion, a choice-based model of PA paired with active travel may be an effective approach to promote PA among older men.