Development and evaluation of two web-based interventions for the promotion of physical activity in older adults: study protocol for a community-based controlled intervention trial

Abstract

BackgroundRegular physical activity (PA) is a key contributor to healthy ageing. However, despite known health benefits, only one third of older adults in Germany reach the PA levels recommended for persons aged 65 years and above by the World Health Organization. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two web-based interventions for the initiation and maintenance of regular PA (i.e., intervention groups 1 and 2) compared to a delayed intervention control group of older adults aged 65 to 75 years.Methods/DesignStudy participants will be randomly assigned to one of three study arms in five communities in the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan region: a) Participants in the first arm will receive access to a web-based intervention for 10 weeks allowing them to track their weekly PA (subjective self-monitoring, intervention group 1); b) participants in the second arm will receive access to the web-based intervention for 10 weeks and, in addition, track PA using Fitbit Zips (objective self-monitoring, intervention group 2); c) participants in the delayed intervention control group will receive access to the intervention implemented in the first study arm after completion of the 12-week follow-up in the other two groups within each community. In addition, weekly group meetings in the communities will be offered to study participants in the intervention groups providing the opportunity to address questions related to the use of the website and to practice PA in groups (e.g., neighborhood walks, strength and balance exercises). To evaluate short-term effects of the intervention on physical and psychological health, PA, physical fitness, and cognitive and psychological variables will be assessed at baseline and 12-week follow-up.DiscussionThis study will provide answers regarding acceptance and effectiveness of web-based interventions promoting uptake and maintenance of regular PA in persons aged 65–75 years. Study findings will contribute to a growing body of evidence in Germany concerning the role of community-based interventions for the promotion of PA and healthy ageing in older adults.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register DRKS00010052 (Date of registration 07–11-2016).

Community Readiness for the Promotion of Physical Activity in Older Adults—A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Rural and Urban Communities

“…Further, we installed local working groups to discuss the issue and to take action on it. After these measures, a community-based PA promotion intervention for older adults will be provided [ 37 ]. After a three-year interval, we will perform a follow-up CR assessment to analyze the effectiveness of these capacity-building efforts.…”

Effects of Two Web‐Based Interventions and Mediating Mechanisms on Stage of Change Regarding Physical Activity in Older Adults

“…The PROMOTE study is a community‐based intervention trial, embedded in the Physical Activity and Health Equity: Primary Prevention for Healthy Ageing (AEQUIPA) research network which was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (Forberger et al., ). The aim was to compare the effectiveness of two individually tailored web‐based interventions to promote initiation and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle in older adults aged 65–75 years in comparison to a delayed intervention control group (Muellmann et al., ). The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Chemnitz University of Technology (TU Chemnitz), Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, on 14 July 2015 (number: V‐099‐17‐HS‐CVR‐PROMOTE‐03072015) and was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register on 11 July 2016 (number: DRKS00010052).…”

Educational and Care-Related Dialogical Pathway on Active Aging With Family Health Strategy Professionals

“…The fact that the discussion was organized from a case attended by the health team was strategic to insert reality in the educational activity and to problematize the service under new approaches and ways of doing it. 17 Thus, the health problems associated with chronic conditions can be prevented or delayed when the health team involves comprehensive care and early identification of biopsychosocial changes, [21][22][23][24] as disclosed in the case discussion that occurred during the educational activity. The educational practices, driven by dialog, contributed to the broader understanding of reality, as it was inserted in the culture and experiences of professionals, making them critical and active in the construction of new practices in the health of the elderly.…”