The aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of a physical activity (PA) incentive program on the amount of spontaneous activity in older people living in an independent residence. The recruitment of elderly people was performed in 3 independent residences in the city of Limoges, France. The inclusion criteria were: GIR greater than 4 and willingness to participate in the program. The program was offered to volunteer residents for a total duration of 14 weeks. The principle of this incentive program was based on the freedom to participate in group or individual sessions. It was also based on the recommendations of Ecclestone et al. (2004). Before and after the program, we required for each subject to wear an actimeter (Armband Sensewear, Bodymedia) for 3 consecutive days to assess the number of steps and daily total energy expenditure (TEE) and to perform the Senior Fitness Test to assess the effects of the PA program on the physical abilities of the subjects. Fifty elderly people (10 men; 40 women; age 81.7 ± 9.2 years) participated in the program. Amongst them, 42 completed all evaluations. The amount of spontaneous activity did not change between before and after the program (see Table 1 ). However, the time spent lying down has decreased significantly. Our results show an improvement in all parameters of the Senior Fitness Test. Our study shows that a PA incentive program does not induce a change in the amount of spontaneous activity of seniors living in an independent residence. Besides the fact that our subjects did not observe the PA recommendations, the program did not increase social participation either, despite an improvement in their physical abilities.