Results of the first year of active for life: translation of 2 evidence-based physical activity programs for older adults into community settings.
OBJECTIVE
Translating efficacious interventions into practice within community settings is a major public health challenge. We evaluated the effects of 2 evidence-based physical activity interventions on self-reported physical activity and related outcomes in midlife and older adults.


METHODS
Four community-based organizations implemented Active Choices, a 6-month, telephone-based program, and 5 implemented Active Living Every Day, a 20-week, group-based program. Both programs emphasize behavioral skills necessary to become more physically active. Participants completed pretest and posttest surveys.


RESULTS
Participants (n=838) were aged an average of 68.4 +/-9.4 years, 80.6% were women, and 64.1% were non-Hispanic White. Seventy-two percent returned posttest surveys. Intent-to-treat analyses found statistically significant increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and total physical activity, decreases in depressive symptoms and stress, increases in satisfaction with body appearance and function, and decreases in body mass index.


CONCLUSIONS
The first year of Active for Life demonstrated that Active Choices and Active Living Every Day, 2 evidence-based physical activity programs, can be successfully translated into community settings with diverse populations. Further, the magnitudes of change in outcomes were similar to those reported in the efficacy trials.
Wilcox
Sara
S
Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. swilcox@sc.edu
Dowda
Marsha
M
Griffin
Sarah F
SF
Rheaume
Carol
C
Ory
Marcia G
MG
Leviton
Laura
L
King
Abby C
AC
Dunn
Andrea
A
Buchner
David M
DM
Bazzarre
Terry
T
Estabrooks
Paul A
PA
Campbell-Voytal
Kimberly
K
Bartlett-Prescott
Jenny
J
Dowdy
Diane
D
Castro
Cynthia M
CM
Carpenter
Ruth Ann
RA
Dzewaltowski
David A
DA
Mockenhaupt
Robin
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003376:Counseling; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires