title: The long-term effectiveness of need-supportive physical activity counseling compared with a standard referral in sedentary older adults.
abstract: This study compared the long-term effectiveness of three physical activity counseling strategies among sedentary older adults: a 1-contact referral (REFER), a 1-contact individualized walking program (WALK), and multiple-contact, individually tailored, and need-supportive coaching based on the self-determination theory (COACH). Participants (n = 442) completed measurements before (pretest), immediately after (posttest), and 1 yr after (follow-up test) a 10-wk intervention. Linear mixed models demonstrated significant time-by-condition interaction effects from pre- to posttest. More specifically, WALK and COACH yielded larger increases in daily steps and self-reported physical activity than REFER. Similarly, self-reported physical activity increased more from pre- to follow-up test in WALK and COACH compared with REFER. Autonomous motivation mediated the effect of perceived need-support on physical activity, irrespective of counseling strategy. These results demonstrate the long-term effectiveness of both a 1-contact individualized walking program and a more time-consuming, need-supportive coaching, especially in comparison with a standard referral to local opportunities.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Kinesiology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ann-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Van Hoecke
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delecluse
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bogaerts
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D057566:Self Report; D012944:Social Support; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology