Identifying strategies for facilitating physical activity among older adults: A behaviour change wheel ‘retrofit’ driven analysis of Victorian local government policy

Abstract

Issue addressed The significance of physical activity (PA) for the health and wellbeing of older adults is well documented. Local government (LG) publish PA policy and interventions to encourage and improve older adult PA participation. However, LG documents have rarely been studied to examine the extent to which LG incorporates evidence‐based strategies into the development of older adult PA policy. Methods The behaviour change wheel (BCW) ‘retrofitting’ approach was used to identify and explain available evidence‐based PA policies and interventions across 10 Victorian LGs. A document analysis was completed using LG policy and involved elements of content analysis and thematic analysis. Results The analysis found 41 documents that included policy and interventions to encourage and improve PA among older adults. Some of the more popular BCW combinations included service provision and enablement and environmental/social planning, and environmental restructuring. In addition, LGs embrace modifying the built environment and creating partnerships. However, our results suggest that some are not considering modelling or incentives to increase PA. Conclusions According to the BCWs, Acceptability, Practicability, Effectiveness, Affordability, Side‐effects, and Equity (APEASE) criteria, it is not feasible for Victorian LGs to be including all intervention functions and supporting policy functions. However, contemporary older adult PA intervention literature suggests LGs could benefit from including incentives and modelling into current PA policy. So what? This research is one of the first to identify and explain how Victorian LGs facilitate PA participation among older adults. This research will guide Victorian LGs when drafting and implementing PA policy in the future.