This study investigated attrition in a 6-month physical activity intervention for older adults. The program was based on the social-cognitive theory incorporating self-efficacy factors. Two hundred forty-eight insufficiently active 65- to 74-year-olds were recruited from the Australian federal electoral roll. The intervention comprised walking and strength and flexibility exercises and was conducted in 30 local neighborhoods where the participants resided. Characteristics of individuals lost to attrition (n= 86, 35%) were compared with those of program completers (n= 162, 65%). Logistic-regression analysis showed that those lost to attrition came from areas of lower socioeconomic status, were overweight and less physically active, and had lower walking self-efficacy scores and higher loneliness scores. The results suggest that early assessment of these characteristics should be undertaken to identify individuals at risk of attrition, to improve retention, and to avoid potential bias.

This practical program is potentially effective and sustainable with respect to mobilizing physically inactive older people.

Objective To identify issues and perceptions concerning physical activity in older adults. Design Qualitative study. Setting Perth, Western Australia. Methods Sixteen adults aged 65 to 74 years were interviewed in their own homes using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using a descriptive qualitative methodology. Results Participants believed that physical activity provided health benefits and reflected positively on physical activity experiences when they were younger, with many expressing a desire to engage in less age-appropriate activities. The major barrier to physical activity was pain. Participants described both positive and negative examples related to society’s support of physical activity. Conclusions A number of issues were raised. These included: the need for more specific information on the benefits of physical activity; the role of pain management in physical activity; the concept that involvement in physical activity in younger years leads to involvement when older; and the expressed desire of older people to engage in less age-appropriate physical activities.

The program was successful in increasing weekly mean time for physical activity in seniors and in identifying factors that affect their commitment to physical activities.

Earlier papers have described researches showing that i.q. increments in adolescent and young adult persons certified as feebleminded occur not infrequently, cannot be explained as artefacts, and appear to be linked with early very adverse environmental experiences. The present three studies indicate that i.q. increments can be large over long periods of time, are correlated with changes in social adjustment, but cannot be shown to be induced by special environmental stimulation; in the present age range and type of subject, they tend to occur in any reasonable environment. Results imply that a necessarily poor outcome cannot be predicted for children with i.q.'s in the 50's, 60's or 70's if they also come from very adverse conditions. Test reliability, statistical regression, and a review of some relevant literature are discussed; theoretical problems concerning intellectual development are presented; and attention is directed to individual differences in susceptibility to environmental damage and to the whole problem of human resilience.

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