Does the offer of a supervised program improve community-dwelling older adults' engagement in physical activity? A restrospective study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51224/SRXIV.550Keywords:
Physical activity, older adults, engagement, adherence, community-dwelling, senior residenceAbstract
Introduction: Notwithstanding the existence of robust public health recommendations, older adults' participation in physical activity (PA) remains inadequate. The identification of conditions conducive to the fostering of commitment is of crucial importance if the health outcomes of ageing populations are to be improved. The objective of this retrospective study was twofold: firstly, to ascertain whether older adults residing in senior residences participated in a supervised PA program, and secondly, to explore the factors influencing adherence to the program.
Method: A 14-week adapted PA program was offered to 174 older adults living in three municipal senior residences in Limoges, France. Participation in the study was voluntary. Data pertaining to adherence, physical activity levels (Dijon Physical Activity Score), decisional balance, physical fitness (Senior Fitness Test), and body composition were collected prior to and following the intervention. Non-participants were invited to complete a short questionnaire to identify reasons for non-engagement.
The results of the study are as follows: Among the 174 residents (mean age = 81.7 ± 10.2), 109 expressed interest and 50 engaged in the program. The predominant reasons for non-engagement included perceived health limitations and a lack of motivation. While the program did not result in a significant increase in daily physical activity levels, it led to improvements in several physical fitness parameters and body composition. However, adherence levels were found to be lower than expected (median = 1.4 sessions/week), suggesting challenges in sustaining engagement.
Conclusion: This study underscores the discrepancy between expressed interest and actual engagement in PA among older adults, even in circumstances where program are offered free of charge and readily accessible. Despite the fact that the intensity and frequency of participation were limited, meaningful functional improvements were yielded. In order to promote PA among older populations, it is necessary to address the motivational and perceptual barriers that hinder sustained commitment.
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