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Keeping active: maintenance of physical activity after exercise programs for older adults

Kendrick, Denise; Orton, Elizabeth; Lafond, Natasher; Audsley, Sarah; Maula, Asiya; Morris, Richard; Vedhara, Kavita; Iliffe, Steve

Authors

DENISE KENDRICK DENISE.KENDRICK@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Primary Care Research

Natasher Lafond

Sarah Audsley

Asiya Maula

Richard Morris

Kavita Vedhara

Steve Iliffe



Abstract

Objectives: To explore factors associated with maintenance of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in community-dwelling adults aged ?65 years after completing a 24-week exercise programme.
Study design: Cohort study nested within a randomised controlled trial evaluating group and home-based exercise programmes for older people in England.
Methods: MVPA levels and factors potentially associated with physical activity (PA) were self-reported at recruitment, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post exercise programme. Multilevel logistic regression estimated odds ratios for achieving target MVPA level (150 minutes/week) 6-24 months after exercise programmes ended.
Results: Older people (OR per year increase: 0.89, 95%CI 0.86, 0.93) and women (OR 0.47, 95%CI 0.33, 0.67) were less likely to achieve target MVPA. Those physically active at recruitment (OR 11.28, 95%CI 7.95, 16.01), with wider social networks (OR per unit increase in Lubben Social Network Scale: 1.06, 95%CI 1.03, 1.10) and performing more sit-to-stands in 30 seconds (OR for quartile 3 compared to quartile 1: 1.87, 95%CI 1.12, 3.10) were more likely to achieve target MVPA. Negative exercise expectations increased the odds of achieving target MVPA, but only amongst the less active at recruitment (OR per unit increase in Outcome and Expectation for Exercise Negative Subscale: 1.90, 95%CI 1.39, 2.60). Associations did not differ significantly across the follow-up period.
Conclusion: A range of factors are associated with maintenance of PA 6-24 months after exercise programmes. Factors are not more strongly associated with shorter versus longer term PA maintenance. Commissioners and providers should consider targeting maintenance interventions to those least likely to maintain PA.

Citation

Kendrick, D., Orton, E., Lafond, N., Audsley, S., Maula, A., Morris, R., …Iliffe, S. (2018). Keeping active: maintenance of physical activity after exercise programs for older adults. Public Health, 164, 118-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2018.08.003

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 3, 2018
Online Publication Date Oct 1, 2018
Publication Date Nov 30, 2018
Deposit Date Sep 11, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Print ISSN 0033-3506
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 164
Pages 118-127
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2018.08.003
Keywords Older people; exercise promotion; physical activity
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1068223
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033350618302610?via%3Dihub