A stepped down physical activity support program for military service veterans: The Active Choices pilot study

Abstract

Issue AddressedReferral to supervised physical activity (PA) programs is an effective treatment for military service veterans (MSVs) suffering from a range of chronic diseases. However, many MSVs fail to maintain PA regimes once discharged from supervision. This pilot study assessed Active Choices, a stepped‐down program to support MSVs in the transition from allied health treatment to self‐managed PA.MethodsParticipants were 34 Australian MSVs (mean [SD] age = 61 [15.8] years) who were completing supervised referral to an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist. MSVs stepped‐down to Active Choices and received a 12‐week, evidence‐based PA support program (2020–2021). Analyses compared within‐group changes in accelerometer‐assessed PA at three time points (Weeks 0, 12, and 24; linear mixed model). Program retention, PA choices, and allied healthcare service costs were also evaluated.ResultsRelative to baseline (64 [26] min/day), mean (SD) moderate‐to‐vigorous PA increased (74 [28] min/day; p < .05) and was maintained (62 [28] min/day) at weeks 12 and 24, respectively. Retention in the program was high (86% [29/34 participants] completion rate at 12 weeks), with water‐based group activities the most popular PAs of choice (14/24 activities). Average allied healthcare service costs during the study were lower than typical costs for MSVs (60.51 vs. 97.06 AUD/week).ConclusionThe findings highlight the potential of Active Choices to support MSVs in the transition from supervised to self‐managed MVPA.So What?The program could promote the health of veterans and reduce costs for ongoing referral if impact is replicated at scale.