title: Combining Motivational and Physical Intervention Components to Promote Fall-Reducing Physical Activity Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Feasibility Study.
abstract: To assess the feasibility of a new intervention, Ready~Steady, in terms of demand, acceptability, implementation, and limited efficacy.
  
  
  
  Randomized controlled trial; repeated measures.
  
  
  
  Two rural communities in Itasca County, Minnesota.
  
  
  
  Thirty participants were randomized to an intervention (n = 16) or attention-control (n = 14) group.
  
  
  
  Ready~Steady combined two components: (1) motivational (motivational support, social network support, empowering education), and (2) fall-reducing physical activities (PAs; guidance to practice leg-strengthening, balance, and flexibility activities and walking).
  
  
  
  Acceptability questionnaire and Indices of Procedural Consistency (investigator developed), Community Health Activity Model Program for Seniors Questionnaire (confirmed with accelerometry), Short Physical Performance Battery, Perceived Environmental Support Scale, Social Support for Exercise Questionnaire, Goal Attainment Scale, Index of Readiness, and Index of Self-Regulation.
  
  
  
  Descriptive statistics and a marginal approach to repeated-measures analysis of variance, using mixed-model procedures.
  
  
  
  Attrition was 7% and mean attendance was 7.2 of 8 sessions, participants evaluated Ready~Steady as acceptable, and implementation fidelity was good. The intervention group improved significantly more than the attention-control group in PA behavior, F1,27= 11.92, p = .002; fall risk (functional balance and strength), F1,27= 14.89, p = .001; support for exercise from friends, F1,27= 11.44, p = .002; and self-regulation, F1,26= 38.82, p < .005.
  
  
  
  The Ready~Steady intervention was feasible as evidenced by low attrition and good attendance and implementation, as well as positive effects on targeted outcomes and theoretical mechanisms of change.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota skmcmaho@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Siobhan Kathleen
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Jean F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Wyman
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing Health and Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Belyea
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing Health and Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona.
authors.forename: Nelma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona.
authors.forename: Eric B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Hekler
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing Health and Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fleury
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D004856:Postural Balance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Accidental Falls, Physical Activity, Motivation, Wellness Programs, Intervention Studies, Prevention Research. Manuscript format: research, quantitative evaluation; Health focus: physical activity, fall prevention; Outcome measure: physical activity behavior; Research purpose: feasibility study; Setting: rural communities; Strategy: skill building/behavioral change; Study design: randomized controlled trial; Target population age: seniors; Target population circumstances: community-dwelling