Transtheoretical Model-based exercise counselling for older adults in Switzerland: quantitative results over a 1-year period

Abstract

To develop and test a counselling programme based on the Transtheoretical Model of behavioural change, for promoting exercise in people over the age of 65. The sample (n = 448) consisted of women and men aged between 65 and 92, recruited from Swiss GPs' practices between 2000 and 2004. After a baseline measurement (T1) and an initial counselling session, they received two counselling sessions, followed by a 12-month follow-up (T2). Changes in exercise behaviour were recorded by means of stage classification and the time spent on everyday moderate-intensity activities that increase the breathing rate. At T1 there was a tendency for women to be less physically active than men. T1 to T2 the proportion of inactive people fell from 12.2% to 4.2%, and the proportion of people sufficiently active rose from 19.0 % to 31.3 %. The changes in stage were significant in both men and women. At T2 more than half of the participants in the study spent more time exercising. The results indicate that, with counselling, the exercise behaviour of the elderly can be positively influenced over a 1-year period.