Twelve-month effects of the Groningen active living model (GALM) on physical activity, health and fitness outcomes in sedentary and underactive older adults aged 55-65.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects on energy expenditure, health and fitness outcomes after 12 months of GALM.


METHODS
Subjects from matched neighbourhoods were assigned to an intervention (IG) (n=79) or a waiting-list control group (CG) (n=102). During the 12 months the IG attended two series of 15 moderately intensive GALM sessions once a week and the CG attended one series after a 6-month waiting-list period.


RESULTS
Significant time effects were found for energy expenditure for recreational sports activities (EE(RECSPORT)), other leisure-time physical activity (EE(LTPA)) and total physical activity (EE(TOTAL)). EE(RECSPORT) increased over 12 months for both groups while the significant time x group interaction for EE(LTPA) revealed that the CG continuously increased over 12 months and the IG improved in the first 6 months but decreased from 6 to 12 months. Further significant time effects were found for performance-based fitness but no group effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Participation in GALM improved EE(RECSPORT) after 12 months, which was reflected in increases in performance-based fitness. The increase in EE(LTPA) seemed to be a short-term effect (6 months), which may explain the lack of improvement in other health indicators.


CONCLUSIONS
To further increase EE(LTPA), more attention should be paid to behavioural skill-building during the GALM program.
de Jong
Johan
J
School of Sports Studies, Hanze University Groningen, University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands. Jo.de.Jong@pl.hanze.nl
Lemmink
Koen A P M
KA
King
Abby C
AC
Huisman
Mark
M
Stevens
Martin
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009426:Netherlands; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome