Pilot study: can older inactive adults learn how to reach the required intensity of physical activity guideline?

Figures & data

Table 1 Participants’ characteristics at baseline

Baseline characteristics	Total (N = 25)
Age (years)	71.9 ± 4.5
Male sex	12 (48.0)
College or university level completed	13 (52.0)
Sum of chronic conditions	3.3 ± 1.6
Health risk factors
Weight (kg)	71.7 (65.2–97.6)
Body mass index (kg/m^2)*	27.2 (23.9–32.8)
Waist circumference (cm)	92.1 (83.2–106.5)
Fat mass (%)	32.4 ± 9.1
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)	129.9 ± 22.9
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)	81.4 ± 16.7
Physical capacity
Leg strength (kg)	21.0 ± 6.9
Handgrip strength (kg)	21.9 (17.4–32.6)
6-minute walk (m)	511 ± 82.0

Notes: Data are presented as unadjusted mean ± standard deviation, N (%), or median (25th–75th percentile).

* P ≤ 0.05 for difference among groups at baseline.

Figure 1 Exercise intensity correctly identified as moderate.

Notes: % of well-identified moderate intensity represents the number of minutes that heart rate reserve (HRR) was between 45% and 59% and the Borg scale between 4 and 6 divided by the total number of minutes that HRR was between 45% and 59%. Data are presented as median (25th–75th percentile).

Table 2 Aerobic exercise knowledge and intensity level

	Total (N = 25)		Manual pulse (N = 8)		Pedometer (N = 8)		Heart-rate monitor (N = 9)
	Pre intervention	Post intervention	Pre	Post	Pre	Post	Pre	Post
AE-PAG knowledge
Optimal time per week (minutes)	258 ± 143	310 ± 252	310 ± 252	197 ± 62	306 ± 176	138 ± 73**	232 ± 118	308 ± 248
Moderate should be the minimum intensity to derive health benefits	23 (92%)	22 (88%)	22 (88%)	7 (88%)	7 (88%)	7 (88%)	8 (89%)	8 (89%)
Self-reported PA level
Total reported time (MET – minutes/week)*	886 ± 1021	1726 ± 1378**	576 ± 1067	1016 ± 727	490 ± 435	2713 ± 1622**,***	1515 ± 1126	1479 ± 1180
Reported moderate intensity (MET – minutes/week)*	80 (0–360)	420 (61–1290)**	0 (0–45)	232 (0–1088)	100 (10–330)	922 (195–3240)**	220 (45–645)	180 (0–518)
Objective PA level
Mean steps per day	5479 ± 3168	7312 ± 4263**	4982 ± 2546	5260 ± 3707	4279 ± 2412	6620 ± 4175**	6988 ± 3885	8785 ± 4815**
Total AE measured time (minutes/week)	182 (106–384)	255 (105–460)**	138 (45–179)	196 (101–59)	198 (30–515)	318 (141–522)**	292 (194–626)	380 (220–763)**
Moderate-to-vigorous intensity measured time (minutes/week)	5 (0–56)	9 (0–46)	3 (0–24)	9 (0–54)	2 (0–43)	6 (0–53)	57 (0–149)	9 (0–31)

Notes: Data are presented as unadjusted mean ± standard deviation, N (%), or median (25th–75th percentile).

* P ≤ 0.05 for difference among groups at baseline;

** P ≤ 0.05 vs baseline in evaluated group;

*** P ≤ 0.05 significant change vs manual pulse group.

Abbreviations: AE, aerobic exercise; MET, metabolic equivalent; PA, physical activity; PAG, physical activity guidelines.