title: Physical activity program delivery by professionals versus volunteers: the TEAM randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Older adults have low rates of physical activity participation, but respond positively to telephone-mediated support programs. Programs are often limited by reliance on professional staff. This study tested telephone-based physical activity advice delivered by professional staff versus trained volunteer peer mentors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 12-month, randomized, controlled clinical trial was executed from 2003-2008. Twelve volunteer peer mentors and 181 initially inactive adults ages 50 years and older were recruited from the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants were randomized to: (1) telephone-based physical activity advice delivered by professional staff, (2) telephone-based physical activity advice delivered by trained volunteer peers, or (3) an attention-control arm of staff-delivered telephone support for nutrition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Moderate-intensity or more vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 months with the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) Questionnaire, with accelerometry validation (Actigraph) in a randomly selected subsample. Treatment fidelity was examined through analysis of quantity and quality of intervention delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6 and 12 months, both physical activity arms significantly increased MVPA relative to the control arm. Both physical activity arms were comparable in quantity of intervention delivery, but peers demonstrated more versatility and comprehensiveness in quality of intervention content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that trained peer volunteers can effectively promote physical activity increases through telephone-based advice. The results support a program delivery model with good dissemination potential for a variety of community settings.
authors.affiliation: Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA. cync@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Cynthia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pruitt
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Buman
authors.forename: Abby C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014838:Volunteers; D000078329:Workforce