Participatory Research to Promote Physical Activity at Congregate-Meal Sites

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of an on-site physical activity (PA) program offered with congregate meals. Study 1 surveyed meal-site users on their likelihood to participate. Study 2 used meal-site-manager interviews and site visits to determine organizational feasibility. Study 3, a controlled pilot study, randomized meal sites to a 12-week group-based social-cognitive (GBSC) intervention or a standard-care control. Studies 1 and 2 indicated that most meal-site users would participate in an on-site PA program, and meal sites had well-suited physical resources and strong organizational support for this type of program. In Study 3, GBSC participants increased their weekly PA over those in the control condition (p < .05, ES = .79). Results indicated that changes in task cohesion might have mediated intervention effectiveness. These studies demonstrate that a PA program offered in this venue is feasible, is effective in promoting PA, and could have a strong public health impact.

Move More: Translating an efficacious group dynamics physical activity intervention into effective clinical practice

“…Consistent with other studies developed on the same conceptual model, developing a sense of group distinctiveness, enhancing group norms through rewards and group goal setting, attending to group location issues, fostering ongoing group interactions and communication to provide feedback, information sharing, and collective problem solving were targeted. These principles are the foundation of a number of PA interventions that demonstrated efficacy when tested using randomized controlled trials with a variety of samples (Brawley et al, 2000;Estabrooks & Carron, 1999;Estabrooks et al, 2005;Rejeski et al, 2003;.…”

“…From a clinical perspective, our organizational partners felt that these types of programs are too intensive and impractical for health care settings as a majority of group dynamics-based PA interventions have been delivered via multiple group sessions ranging from one to three times per week and 12 to 24 weeks of contact (Brawley et al, 2000;Estabrooks & Carron, 1999;Estabrooks et al, 2005;Rejeski et al, 2003;.…”

“…Group interaction and communication has been completed through peer sharing and problem-solving activities. Interventions that target group processes such as setting collective goals and providing structured time for cooperation, interaction and communication have also had a large positive effect changing PA habits Estabrooks & Carron, 1999;Estabrooks et al, 2005).…”

“…Third, fostering group norms around exercise intensity, timeliness, and quality of exercise completion is also a standard intervention component. Encouraging a regular position in the group, roles, and norms have all been used across a number of successful intervention trials (Brawley, Rejeski, & Lutes, 2000;Estabrooks & Carron, 1999;Estabrooks, Fox, Doerksen, Bradshaw & King, 2005;Spink & Carron, 1994).…”

Determining the Impact of Walk Kansas: Applying a Team-Building Approach to Community Physical Activity Promotion

“…Carron and Spink's [27] team-building model, the foundation of a number of PA interventions that demonstrated efficacy when tested using randomized controlled trials [27][28][29][30][31][32], was used as a basis for Walk Kansas. Table 1 is an overview of the evidence-based principles and strategies from this model that were used.…”