title: Reducing attrition in physical activity programs for older adults.
abstract: This study investigated attrition in a 6-month physical activity intervention for older adults. The program was based on the social-cognitive theory incorporating self-efficacy factors. Two hundred forty-eight insufficiently active 65- to 74-year-olds were recruited from the Australian federal electoral roll. The intervention comprised walking and strength and flexibility exercises and was conducted in 30 local neighborhoods where the participants resided. Characteristics of individuals lost to attrition (n = 86, 35%) were compared with those of program completers (n = 162, 65%). Logistic-regression analysis showed that those lost to attrition came from areas of lower socioeconomic status, were overweight and less physically active, and had lower walking self-efficacy scores and higher loneliness scores. The results suggest that early assessment of these characteristics should be undertaken to identify individuals at risk of attrition, to improve retention, and to avoid potential bias.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Jonine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jancey
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Howat
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Kui
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shilton
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D016730:Program Development; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires