Community-based Intervention Effects on Older Adults' Physical Activity

The program has been adapted for groups and includes 5 flexibility movements (e.g., back extension and ankle, head, neck, trunk movements), 5 leg strengthening exercises (knee extensor, knee flexor, hip abductor, ankle plantar flexes, ankle dorsiflexes), 12 balance movements (knee bends, backwards walking, walking and turning, sideways walking, tandem stance, tandem walk, one leg stand, heel walking, toe walking, heel-toe walking backwards, sit to stand, stair walking), and a walking plan. The number, intensity and duration of movements are individualized according to preference and ability and they are gradually progressed.

We will use Fitbit Charge 2 (or an equivalent). Features essential for this research include built-in accelerometers that accurately measure steps and physical activity (PA) duration.Participants will have a brief orientation to these during baseline data collection and have the opportunity to return demonstrate. In addition, RAs will be available to help participants troubleshoot, as needed, via telephone and in person, after intervention meetings. Intervention meetings include discussions about the PAMs, but topics vary according to assigned study condition.

The interpersonal content will include facilitated discussed about including PA into social routines, identifying and problem-solving social and environmental barriers to PA, social support for exercise, and friendly social comparisons about practicing PA outside the small group setting and interpreting/ sharing data.

The intrapersonal content will include encouragement and guidance to identify baseline PA patterns, develop and refine personally meaningful goals and plans, identify and problem solve personal barriers to staying physically active, integrate PA into personal routines, and monitor goal outcomes

Information about health and wellness varies in dose, according to time spent in each condition that addresses behavior change. Topics in condition 1 include sleep, vaccinations, supplements, fall risk factors, memory, hearing and pain guided by information for older adults available on the NIA and CDC websites. Topics in conditions 2 and 3 include fall risk factors and sleep. Topics in condition 4 include fall risk factors.