title: Physical activity counseling for older women.
abstract: Physical inactivity is a major factor in increasing women's risk for chronic disease, disability, and premature mortality. This study compared the effectiveness of five behavioral counseling (BC) sessions with a comparison group receiving one BC session based on the five A's (ask, advise, assist, arrange, and agree) to increase moderate-intensity physical activity, muscle strengthening, and stretching activity. The health promotion model provided the framework for the intervention. A pretest/posttest comparison group design was used, with random assignment of 46 women recruited from an urban midwestern community. A significant group interaction was found only for cardiorespiratory fitness (p < .001). Significant time effects were found (p < .001) for both groups in increasing handgrip, leg strength, and flexibility. BC is a promising intervention to achieve physical activity behavior change with older women.
authors.affiliation: Creighton University School of Nursing.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: Susan Noble
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Bernice C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Berg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003376:Counseling; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D012307:Risk Factors