Evidence-Based Interventions to Increase Physical Activity Among Older Adults

Abstract

Few older adults perform optimal physical activity despite well-documented potential health and quality of life benefits. Research testing interventions to increase elders' physical activity has expanded. Recently a meta-analysis was conducted to quantitatively synthesize findings across 43 primary studies with over 33,000 aging adults. Practical implications of the meta-analysis are presented here. Findings suggest activity professionals should incorporate self-monitoring, intense contact between activity professionals and participants, and center-based exercise. Interventions should focus exclusively on physical behavior and recommend moderate activity, probably walking. Groups of individuals with particular chronic illnesses are most likely to be successful. Exercise prescription and behavior modification may also be effective.

Key Words:

• Interventions
• physical activity
• meta-analysis
• practice implications