title: Dropout from exercise programs for seniors: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: This study examines dropout incidence, moment of dropout, and switching behavior in organized exercise programs for seniors in the Netherlands, as determined in a prospective cohort study (with baseline measurements at the start of the exercise program and follow-up after 6 months; N = 1,725, response rate 73%). Participants were community-living individuals 50+ who participated in different forms of organized exercise programs. The average dropout incidence was 0.15 per 6 months, which is lower than that for the general population. The dropout incidence and the timing of dropout differed substantially between the exercise programs. In total, 31% of people who dropped out of one type of exercise program switched to another type of exercise. The type of program and exercise had a strong effect on differences in this switching behavior. It is recommended that switching behavior be monitored in future studies.
authors.affiliation: TNO Quality of Life, Dept of Physical Activity and Health, Leiden, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maarten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stiggelbout
authors.forename: Marijke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hopman-Rock
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tak
authors.forename: Lilian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lechner
authors.forename: Willem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Mechelen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies