Self-organizing peer coach groups to increase daily physical activity in community dwelling older adults.

ABSTRACT: Many older adults do not reach the recommended level of physical activity, despite many professional-delivered physical activity interventions. Here we study the implementation of a novel physical activity intervention for older adults that is self-sustainable (no financial support) and self-organizing (participants act as organizers) due to peer coaching. We implemented three groups and evaluated process and effect using participatory observations, questionnaires, six-minute walk tests and body composition measures from October 2016 to September 2018. The intervention was implemented by staff without experience in physical activity interventions. Facilitators were a motivated initiator and a non-professional atmosphere for participants to take ownership. Barriers were the absence of motiv

SUBMITTER: van de Vijver P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7567038 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature