"Every step counts!": effects of a structured walking intervention in a community-based senior organization.
This study evaluated "Every Step Counts!"- a 10-wk, structured walking intervention in a community-based senior organization - on promoting physical activity participation, fitness, and well-being among older adults (age ≥ 55 yr). The intervention prescribed pedometer-defined walks in weekly walking schedules. These were fitness-tailored and structured in walking load (intensity/volume) according to the principles of training progression. This intervention was offered as a social activity at meeting points of a community-based senior organization. Twenty-nine meeting points (n = 432) constituted the intervention condition. Ten meeting points (n = 148) formed the wait-list control condition. Measurements were organized at intervention start (pretest) and end (posttest). Intention-to-treat linear mixed models showed small positive intervention effects on physical activity, fitness, and aspects of well-being. These results confirm the effectiveness of structured walking interventions with systematic training progression and underscore the value of community-based senior organizations as intervention settings for older adults.
Dept. of Kinesiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Johan
J
Pelssers
Christophe
C
Delecluse
Joke
J
Opdenacker
Eva
E
Kennis
Evelien
E
Van Roie
Filip
F
Boen
D061725:Accelerometry; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D009043:Motor Activity; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking