Effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention and a structured exercise intervention in older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of a lifestyle intervention and a structured exercise intervention on physical activity in older adults.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to a lifestyle intervention (n=60), including an individualized home-based program supported by phone calls, or to a structured intervention (n=60) consisting of three weekly supervised sessions. Results were compared with a control group (n=66). Physical activity was measured with self-report questionnaires, pedometers, and accelerometers before the start (pretest), at the end (11 months, posttest), and after 23 months (follow-up). The study took place in Belgium from March 2004 until April 2006.


RESULTS
At posttest, both intervention groups had significantly increased their total physical activity compared with the control group. At follow-up, the lifestyle group showed significantly larger increases in active transportation and total steps than the control and structured group respectively. There were no longer significant differences between the structured intervention and the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The structured and lifestyle interventions were equally effective at the end of the intervention. One year after the intervention the lifestyle group maintained a significant increase in physical activity, which highlights the potential of lifestyle programs in the battle against inactivity in older adults.
Opdenacker
Joke
J
Department of Human Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, K.U.Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. Joke.Opdenacker@faber.kuleuven.be
Boen
Filip
F
Coorevits
Nele
N
Delecluse
Christophe
C
D000054:Acceleration; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires