Elisabeth Boulton1, Michaela Weber2, Helen Hawley-Hague3, Ronny Bergquist4, Jeanine Van Ancum5, Nini H Jonkman5, Kristin Taraldsen4, Jorunn L Helbostad4, Andrea B Maier5,6, Clemens Becker7, Chris Todd3,8, Lindy Clemson9, Michael Schwenk2,7. 1. School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom, elisabeth.boulton@manchester.ac.uk. 2. Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany. 3. School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom. 4. Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. 5. Department of Human Movement Sciences, @AgeAmsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 6. Department of Medicine and Aged Care, @AgeMelbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 7. Department of Clinical Gerontology and Geriatric Rehabilitation, Robert-Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany. 8. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom. 9. Faculty of Health Sciences, and Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Time commitments, limited access, or unwillingness to join a group are some of the many reasons for low adherence to structured exercise in older adults. A promising alternative approach is integrating exercise into daily routines. OBJECTIVE: This study tested whether an adapted Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (aLiFE) programme is suitable for adults aged 60-70 years. METHODS: The aLiFE approach was evaluated by interviews and focus-groups with participants and trainers following 4-week pre-post intervention pilot study. For data analyses, Framework Approach was used. Coding was managed using NVivo, and subsequently organised into overarching themes. RESULTS:Twenty women and 11 men (mean age 66.4 ± 2.7 years) and 6 trainers (30.0± 6.2 years; 5 women) participated. Both participants and trainers were positive about the programme. Participants understood the concept of integrating balance, strength and physical activities into daily lives and valued the individual tailoring in the programme, the preventive approach, and the support of trainers. Trainers valued the flexible approach and peer support between trainers. However, both participants and trainers disliked the extensive study paperwork and reported some challenges to integrate activities into daily routines during the compressed intervention: busy and varied lifestyles, embarrassment performing activities in public, pain, difficulty of specific activities. Participants noted habitualisation of some activities within the short intervention period, even without continuous self-monitoring. CONCLUSIONS:aLiFE is a highly acceptable intervention amongst adults aged 60-70 years. Trainers are especially relevant as motivators and support providers. The effectiveness of the aLiFE approach should be tested in a randomised controlled trial.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Time commitments, limited access, or unwillingness to join a group are some of the many reasons for low adherence to structured exercise in older adults. A promising alternative approach is integrating exercise into daily routines. OBJECTIVE: This study tested whether an adapted Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (aLiFE) programme is suitable for adults aged 60-70 years. METHODS: The aLiFE approach was evaluated by interviews and focus-groups with participants and trainers following 4-week pre-post intervention pilot study. For data analyses, Framework Approach was used. Coding was managed using NVivo, and subsequently organised into overarching themes. RESULTS: Twenty women and 11 men (mean age 66.4 ± 2.7 years) and 6 trainers (30.0 ± 6.2 years; 5 women) participated. Both participants and trainers were positive about the programme. Participants understood the concept of integrating balance, strength and physical activities into daily lives and valued the individual tailoring in the programme, the preventive approach, and the support of trainers. Trainers valued the flexible approach and peer support between trainers. However, both participants and trainers disliked the extensive study paperwork and reported some challenges to integrate activities into daily routines during the compressed intervention: busy and varied lifestyles, embarrassment performing activities in public, pain, difficulty of specific activities. Participants noted habitualisation of some activities within the short intervention period, even without continuous self-monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: aLiFE is a highly acceptable intervention amongst adults aged 60-70 years. Trainers are especially relevant as motivators and support providers. The effectiveness of the aLiFE approach should be tested in a randomised controlled trial.
Authors: Kristin Taraldsen; A Stefanie Mikolaizak; Andrea B Maier; Elisabeth Boulton; Kamiar Aminian; Jeanine van Ancum; Stefania Bandinelli; Clemens Becker; Ronny Bergquist; Lorenzo Chiari; Lindy Clemson; David P French; Brenda Gannon; Helen Hawley-Hague; Nini H Jonkman; Sabato Mellone; Anisoara Paraschiv-Ionescu; Mirjam Pijnappels; Michael Schwenk; Chris Todd; Fan Bella Yang; Anna Zacchi; Jorunn L Helbostad; Beatrix Vereijken Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-03-20 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Emma K Stanmore; Alexandra Mavroeidi; Lex D de Jong; Dawn A Skelton; Chris J Sutton; Valerio Benedetto; Luke A Munford; Wytske Meekes; Vicky Bell; Chris Todd Journal: BMC Med Date: 2019-02-28 Impact factor: 8.775
Authors: Ashley Gluchowski; Helena Bilsborough; Jane Mcdermott; Helen Hawley-Hague; Chris Todd Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-13 Impact factor: 4.614