Role Of Self-regulation In A Community-based Physical Activity Intervention For Older Adults

Abstract

Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of falls, hypertension, osteoporosis, stroke, and diabetes, yet only 27.3-44.3% of older adults meet recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines. Use of self-regulation (SR) techniques may increase compliance in a group-based behavior change PA intervention for older adults, yet it is unclear which SR strategies are effective in older adults to increase PA level and stay active. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine change in PA, and improvement in the use of SR techniques employed by individuals in a 10-week exercise and lifestyle behavior change program. METHODS: Fifty-two older adults (age = 72.3, yrs±8.0) completed a 10-week group exercise and lifestyle behavior change program called Physical Activity for Life for Seniors (PALS). Three days/week over 40 minutes, participants completed ten exercises in a circuit, at 1 minute intervals. The 30-minute lifestyle behavior change class included SR problem solving techniques for staying active. SR was measured using the Self-Regulation for Exercise Scale (1=never to 5=very often), which examined SR techniques for self-monitoring, goal setting, social support, reinforcement, relapse prevention and time management. PA was measured using the CHAMPS questionnaire (caloric expenditure/week). Significant differences (p<0.05) in response to the intervention were identified using paired t-tests. RESULTS: In this population of older adults, significant improvements (p<.000) were noted in SR techniques (SR self-monitoring: 1.573± .72 vs 3.19 ±.91; SR goal setting: 1.55±.75 vs 3.02±.88; SR social support: 1.35±.55 vs 2.09±.67; SR reinforcement: 1.92±.76 vs 2.77±.67; SR relapse prevention: 1.45±.56 vs 2.17 ±.63; SR time management: 1.45±.80 vs 2.80±1.01) and total PA energy expenditure: 2143.31±2153.24 vs 4092.99±2635.78; moderate to vigorous energy PA expenditure: 742.84±1476.00 vs 2366.96±2112.94). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that including SR strategies in a 10-week group exercise and lifestyle behavior change intervention can lead to an increase in total PA, especially the moderate to vigorous PA in this population. Goal setting, self-monitoring and time management were used most frequently following the intervention.