The Long-Term Effectiveness of Need-Supportive Physical Activity Counseling Compared With a Standard Referral in Sedentary Older Adults

Abstract

This study compared the long-term effectiveness of three physical activity counseling strategies among sedentary older adults: a 1-contact referral (REFER), a 1-contact individualized walking program (WALK), and multiple-contact, individually tailored, and need-supportive coaching based on the self-determination theory (COACH). Participants (n = 442) completed measurements before (pretest), immediately after (posttest), and 1 yr after (follow-up test) a 10-wk intervention. Linear mixed models demonstrated significant time-by-condition interaction effects from pre- to posttest. More specifically, WALK and COACH yielded larger increases in daily steps and self-reported physical activity than REFER. Similarly, self-reported physical activity increased more from pre- to follow-up test in WALK and COACH compared with REFER. Autonomous motivation mediated the effect of perceived need-support on physical activity, irrespective of counseling strategy. These results demonstrate the long-term effectiveness of both a 1-contact individualized walking program and a more time-consuming, need-supportive coaching, especially in comparison with a standard referral to local opportunities.

The contribution of lifestyle coaching of overweight patients in primary care to more autonomous motivation for physical activity and healthy dietary behaviour: results of a longitudinal study

“…Our finding that the influence of coaching on motivation for physical activity was virtually absent when programmes included physical activity guidance, seems in line with findings of van Hoecke et al (2014) [36]. Provision of a physical activity programme may facilitate the need for competence and may therefore be equally effective as need supportive coaching [36].…”

“…Provision of a physical activity programme may facilitate the need for competence and may therefore be equally effective as need supportive coaching [36]. Our findings in the samples that were stratified by programme type also indicate that the negative influence of perceived controlled coaching on autonomous motivation for healthy eating may be neutralised when an intervention includes a physical activity component.…”

Is knee extension strength a better predictor of functional performance than handgrip strength among older adults in three different settings?

“…These five studies included one validation study and four interventions studies in older adults, of which only the pretest data were included in these analyses (Martien, Delecluse, Seghers, & Boen, 2014;Pelssers et al, 2013;Van Hoecke, Delecluse, Bogaerts, & Boen, 2013;Van Roie, Delecluse, Coudyzer, Boonen, & Bautmans, 2013). Participants gave written informed consent and all procedures were approved by the human Ethics Committee of KU Leuven.…”

Motivational interviewing and self-determination theory in a web-based computer tailored physical activity intervention: A randomized controlled trial

“…Over the recent past years, quite a few counselling PA interventions that combine the theoretical framework of SDT with the practical strategies from MI have been developed and evaluated in randomized controlled trials (Duda et al, 2014;Fortier, Duda, Guerin, & Teixeira, 2012;Fortier et al, 2007Fortier et al, , 2011Jolly et al, 2009;Silva et al, 2011Silva et al, , 2008Van Hoecke, Delecluse, Bogaerts, & Boen, 2014;Van Hoecke et al, 2013). In general these studies show that SDT/MI-based PA interventions can be effective in increasing PA.…”