title: Multiple levels of influence on older adults' attendance and adherence to community exercise classes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the influence of individual participant, instructor, and group factors on participants' attendance and adherence to community exercise classes for older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal data from 16 instructors, 26 classes, and 193 older participants within those classes (aged 60-100 years) were examined. Data were collected using questionnaires on individual participants' demographics, attitudes, health perceptions and conditions, and group cohesion. Instructors' demographics, training, background, experience, attitudes, and personality were collected. Group factors included class type, cost, transport, and whether the class was held in an area of deprivation. Outcomes (attendance/adherence) were collected through attendance records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multilevel modelling (MLwiN) revealed both instructor and individual participant variables were important in understanding attendance and adherence. Individuals' housing, education, mental well-being, group cohesion, and attitudes were important predictors of attendance at 3 and 6 months. Instructors' age, gender, experience, and motivational training were important at 3 months, whereas instructor personality was important at both 3 and 6 months. Having attended longer than 6 months at baseline, participants' attitudes, weeks offered, instructors' personality, and experience were associated with adherence at 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that instructors' characteristics alongside individual participant factors play a role in influencing participants' attendance to exercise classes. These factors should be considered when setting up new programs.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, UK. helen.hawley-hague@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hawley-Hague
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horne
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Development and Society, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demack
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK.
authors.forename: Dawn A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Skelton
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Todd
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Attendance; Behavior; Exercise programs; Instructor
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