Abstract
Research is still lacking regarding the question as to how programs to promote healthy ageing should be organized in order to increase acceptance and thus effectiveness. For older adults, ecological factors, such as the physical distance to program sites, might predict participation and retention. Thus, the key aim of this analysis was to examine these factors in a physical activity intervention trial. Adults (N = 8299) aged 65 to 75 years were invited to participate and n = 589 participants were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups with 10 weeks of physical activity home practice and exercise classes or a wait-list control group. Response, participation, and dropout data were compared regarding ecological, individual, and study-related variables. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression models were used to determine predictors of dropout. In total, 405 participants completed the study. Weekly class attendance rates were examined regarding significant weather conditions and holiday periods. The highest rates of nonresponse were observed in districts with very high neighborhood levels of socioeconomic status. In this study, ecological factors did not appear to be significant predictors of dropout, whereas certain individual and study-related variables were predictive. Future studies should consider these factors during program planning to mobilize and keep subjects in the program.
Highlights
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralDespite the strong evidence of physical and psychological health benefits of physical activity (PA) [1–3], PA remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [4].As overall life expectancy has increased during the past decades, population-based approaches that target older people in fostering the maintenance of health-promoting behaviors, including regular moderate to vigorous PA, are called for [5]
A random sample of N = 8299 older adults was invited to participate in the study via mail, with 6694 not responding to the invitation letter and 598 proactively declining to participate
Of 175 people who reacted to the press release and decided to participate in the study, 130 were eligible for inclusion
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralDespite the strong evidence of physical and psychological health benefits of physical activity (PA) [1–3], PA remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [4].As overall life expectancy has increased during the past decades, population-based approaches that target older people in fostering the maintenance of health-promoting behaviors, including regular moderate to vigorous PA, are called for [5]. The majority of interventions fail to ensure that a physically active lifestyle and attendance of PA programs is maintained for extended periods of time [8]. Another challenge is to get the target group involved in intervention programs in the first place. Many researchers examining community-based programs for health promotion face difficulties in recruiting and retaining participants in their trials [9]. Certain barriers to recruitment may arise with respect to studies designed to involve older adults, such as issues around the identification with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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