Behaviour change techniques to facilitate physical activity in older adults: what and how

Abstract

Physical inactivity in older adults presents a significant problem within modern societies globally. Using a mixed-method approach, this study explored strategies for the development and delivery of physical activity (PA) interventions by investigating what behaviour change techniques (BCTs) are useful, and how these techniques should be implemented to be feasible for older adults. Sixty-six older adults completed a survey indicating the most useful BCTs, mapping on to motivational, volitional and automatic factors. Of these, 48 older adults participated in an interview exploring strategies for a PA intervention targeted at older adults. The most useful BCT identified in the survey was autonomy support (61.3%), followed by instruction to perform the behaviour (43.5%) and having a credible source of information about PA (42.6%). The key themes discussed in the interviews included providing support in making an informed choice, instruction on how to perform PA, information about health consequences, social support, goal setting, action and coping plans, behavioural demonstration and practice, and monitoring PA. The interviews also revealed key aspects of programme implementation including face-to-face delivery, followed up with additional materials; low cost; age-appropriate PA level; and individualised approach. Interventions assisting older adults in increasing their PA participation across a range of settings should incorporate BCTs targeting multiple processes, while tailoring their delivery to older adults’ preferences to ensure their feasibility in supporting regular PA engagement.

Health promotion for mild frailty based on behaviour change: Perceptions of older people and service providers

“…Our findings are comparable to those of a mixed‐methods study reporting on the use of BCTs to facilitate physical activity in older adults (Arnautovska, O'Callaghan, & Hamilton, ). The BCTs nominated as most useful by participants in that study were autonomy, information from a credible source, instruction to perform the behaviour, demonstration of the behaviour, self‐monitoring of behaviour, action planning, rewarding completion and information about health consequences.…”

How Does the Understanding, Experience, and Enactment of Self‐Regulation Behaviour Change Techniques Vary with Age? A Thematic Analysis

“…In particular, the retired participants aged over 60 years did not perceive action plans to be useful, as they did not wish to restrict themselves to particular times for their walks. This finding is consistent with previous qualitative evidence, which found that a sample of participants aged over 60 years who were mostly retired demonstrated low acceptability of the action planning technique, as they appeared to prefer more flexible plans to suit their spontaneous lifestyle (Arnautovska et al, 2017). This was true even when they used planning techniques that ensured that their plans were flexible (Arnautovska et al, 2017).…”

“…This finding is consistent with previous qualitative evidence, which found that a sample of participants aged over 60 years who were mostly retired demonstrated low acceptability of the action planning technique, as they appeared to prefer more flexible plans to suit their spontaneous lifestyle (Arnautovska et al, 2017). This was true even when they used planning techniques that ensured that their plans were flexible (Arnautovska et al, 2017). This also resembles findings from a RCT that highlighted older participants' refusal to use planning techniques, due to their preference for flexible time management and less rigid plans for their physical activities (Warner et al, 2016).…”

The role of individual resources, health behaviour and age perception as determinants of sports participation in older age

“…Preventive actions could be developed, assisting in providing information about the importance of sports activities for health, so that older people become more aware of the potential health risks of inactivity. Such increased awareness can affect intentions to amend health-related behaviours 12 (Arnautovska et al , 2018). Furthermore, efforts should be made to create (socio-cultural) general conditions that enable older people to change their inactive behaviour and/or maintain their sports activities.…”