Background: Physical activity (PA) is a health protective behaviour that is critical in the reduction of most major chronic diseases. It also provides the participant with psychological benefits. Despite its well-established health benefits, PA engagement is low in the adult population. Women over the age of 60 are the least physically active segment and thus an important target for behaviour change interventions. Objective: The purpose of this mixed methods feasibility study was to explore the feasibility of six-week Self-Determination Theory (SDT)-based dance and walking programs for older women. Design: This was a parallel, randomized controlled trial with three groups: dance, walking, and wait-list control. This study included the sequential collection of quantitative then qualitative data (sequential explanatory design). Setting: This study was conducted in Victoria, BC. Participants: Participants were community-dwelling, English-speaking women aged 55-70 years who were not meeting PA guidelines. Methods: Data were collected at baseline and two endpoints: post-intervention at six weeks and follow-up at 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were feasibility measures: recruitment, intervention adherence, retention, and satisfaction. Survey data included self-reported PA (Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire) and measures of behavioural regulations and psychological needs (SDT constructs) using validated tools (Behavioural Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire-2 and Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale). Qualitative data were collected in the form of open- and close-ended program evaluation questions and during focus group interviews, both occurring at post-intervention (six weeks). Results: The feasibility measures suggest that it is feasible to recruit and retain participants and that they were generally satisfied with the programs. Thirty-five of 37 randomized participants completed the study (mean age ± SD = 62.8 ± 4.8), representing a 39% recruitment rate and 95% retention rate. Both programs were highly attended. Exploratory effect sizes for the quantitative measures were promising for conducting a larger-scale trial. Emergent themes highlighted the importance of the leadership component of the group-based PA programs. Conclusion: This study had high protocol adherence, promising effect sizes, program evaluation satisfaction, and a recreation centre took on the dance program; these factors provide a foundation for expanding this feasibility trial to a full-scale study. / Graduate / 2017-12-01

Purpose: Transitioning into retirement may be a suitable period to help adults establish an active lifestyle. One innovative approach to promote PA may be through multimedia-based programs. This experiment aimed to explore the feasibility DVD and videogame-based exercise programs in promoting physical activity (PA) in adults transitioning into retirement. Underlying motivations, functional fitness, quality of life, and elicited beliefs from participating in the exercise programs were also explored. Methods: Twenty-seven adults were randomized into either a nine-week exercise DVD (n = 9), exergame (n = 9), or waitlisted control group (n = 9). Main outcomes include adherence was based on attendance during the in-lab component and participant logs during the in-home component. PA levels were measured through accelerometery and assessed at baseline, four-, nine- and 12-weeks. Secondary outcomes related to motivation were assessed at baseline, three- and nine-weeks. Tertiary outcomes such as physiological/functional fitness and quality of life outcomes were assessed at pre- and post-intervention. Results: During the in-lab portion, t-tests showed that adherence was slightly higher in the exergame group than the DVD group (t16 = -0.06, p = .96; d = .31). Repeated measures of analysis showed that the group x time interaction for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (F2,24 = 0.87, p = .52; η2 = .05), while overall PA saw negligible changes (F2,24 = 0.16, p = .85; η2 = .01). At the end of the intervention, overall adherence was similar between both exercise groups (t16 = -0.06, p = .96; d = .03). The group by time interaction effect yielded a moderate effect size for MVPA (F2,24 = 1.07, p = .36; η2 = .08) and overall PA (F2,24 = 1.11, p = .35; η2 = .08). Overall PA only increased in the exergame group (d = .74). The exergame group saw major decreases in instrumental attitude (d = .64), injunctive norm (d = .79), perceived behavioural control (d = .40) and intention (d = .90). Both exercise groups enhanced strength, mobility, and aerobic endurance outcomes (d = .33-.98), as well as several quality of life domains (d = .32-.89). At the post-intervention follow-up, both exercise groups were more active than the control group (d = .49-1.03). Two-thirds of the DVD group adopted DVD-based exercise, while a third of exergame group adopted videogame-based exercise. Conclusions: With a high adoption rate, DVD-based exercise programs may be a feasible and acceptable approach to promote PA levels. Participants in both groups were generally satisfied, indicating that the exercise program was enjoyable, comprehensive, and a simple and convenient way to exercise at home. Improvements to important functional and quality of life domains were also identified. Further research will be required to fully test the effectiveness of exercise DVDs and exergames on adherence and PA behaviour in adults transitioning into retirement. / Graduate / 0384 / christopher.yao7@gmail.com