GrOup-based Physical Activity for oLder Adults Trial

NCT02023632 | Completed DMC

• 2 other identifiers: H13-01593DCO150GP
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 554
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 3

Brief Summary

Regular physical activity is associated with a diverse range of physical and mental health outcomes, with the effects being particularly pronounced among older adults. Despite these health benefits, involvement in physical activity has been found to decline over the course of adulthood with older adults in particular risk of inactivity. A growing body of evidence, however, suggests that group-based settings that are sensitive to both the age-composition and gender-composition of their constituent members may represent an opportune means of supporting the improved adoption and maintenance of older adults in physical activity programs. The overall purpose of this feasibility trial is to test the effectiveness of a group-based physical activity program for older adults that is sensitive to both age-congruent and gender-congruent contextual factors, in supporting their sustained involvement in physical activity.

Conditions

Motor Activity

Keywords

older adults; physical activity; self-categorization; group dynamics; self-identity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Program adherence and re-enrollment

  Physical activity centre records (i.e., the YMCA) will be utilized to provide an objective measure of class attendance through "signing-in". With regard to the secondary research question concerning the extent to which participants choose to re-enroll after the initial 3-month program has ended, program enrollment records will again be used.

  Month 3 (May 2014;2015) and Month 6 (August 2014;2015)

Secondary Outcomes (11)

• Change in Cohesion

  Weeks 2, 7, 12, 14, 19, 24

• Change in Affective and Instrumental Attitudes

  Weeks 2, 7, 12, 14, 19, 24

• Physical Health Screening Measure

  Prior to the start of the program (February 2014 and December 2014/January 2015)

• Change in Self-efficacy

  Weeks 2, 7, 12, 14, 19, 24

• Change in Stigma Consciousness

  Weeks 2, 7, 12, 14, 19, 24

Other Outcomes (1)

• Process Evaluation

  After the end of the program (August 2014, 2015)

Study Arms (3)

Similar-Age-Same-Gender (SASG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this trial arm will be of similar age (65+) and of the same gender (i.e., separate groups for male older adults and female older adults).

Behavioral: Similar-Age-Same-Gender (SASG)

Similar-Age-Mixed-Gender (SAMG)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group will include participants of both genders who are similar aged (65+).

Behavioral: Similar-Age-Mixed-Gender (SAMG)

Mixed-Age-Mixed-Gender (MASG)

SHAM COMPARATOR

This group is used as the 'standard' group based exercise course; including those of mixed age and mixed gender.

Behavioral: Mixed-Age-Mixed-Gender (MASG)

Interventions

Similar-Age-Same-Gender (SASG) BEHAVIORAL

The core feature of the program is that it is exclusively for those of a similar age and same gender. Such an environment was reported to provide opportunities for social connectedness, as well as personal comfort. Secondly, exercise class instructors are volunteers- both providing 'similar-models' to enhance efficacy as well as reduce costs associated with instructors. Consistent with social identity and self-categorization perspectives, the program also makes use of a series of strategies to foster intra-group attraction and group identity. For many of the participants a major draw of the program is that it provides opportunities for the older adults to connect with one another after the classes have ended.

Similar-Age-Same-Gender (SASG)

Similar-Age-Mixed-Gender (SAMG) BEHAVIORAL

The SAMG physical activity condition will mirror the SASG group condition, but will be open to older adults from both genders. The same strategies to those used within the SASG condition will also be utilized (development of a unique program name, T-shirts, opportunities to socialize after the program), and will be offered three days per week (Mon, Wed, Fri, or Tues, Thurs, Sat). Older adults will also be recruited to be instructors for the group classes (= 65 years), with both males and females invited to occupy these instructional roles. (As with the SASG condition, training will take place between September and December 2013, through the respective YMCA centres. The YMCA will oversee the training of these volunteers through their Fitness Leader Training Program).

Similar-Age-Mixed-Gender (SAMG)

Mixed-Age-Mixed-Gender (MASG) BEHAVIORAL

The third condition utilized within the RCT is designed to reflect 'standard' group based exercises that one sees in typical physical activity centres. Specifically, these classes are not restricted to participants on the basis of age or gender, and as such older adults will be participating in groups comprised of people younger than themselves as well as those of both gender.

Mixed-Age-Mixed-Gender (MASG)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Participants must be 65 years of age or older (both males and females), be able to speak and read English, and not experience any contraindication which might prevent that person from participating in moderate-intensity physical activity. Participants will be required to complete PAR-Q+, and where necessary ePARmed-X.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of British Columbia: lead
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR): collaborator

Study Sites (3)

Surrey Family YMCA

Surrey, British Columbia, V3S 7S6, Canada

Location

Langara YMCA

Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Y 2Z5, Canada

Location

Robert Lee YMCA

Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 1Y2, Canada

Location

Related Publications (11)

• Dunlop WL, Beauchamp MR. Birds of a feather stay active together: a case study of an all-male older adult exercise program. J Aging Phys Act. 2013 Apr;21(2):222-32. doi: 10.1123/japa.21.2.222. Epub 2012 Aug 14.

  PMID: 22899819 BACKGROUND

• Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Functional fitness normative scores for community-residing older adults, ages 60-94. Journal of aging and physical activity 7:162-181, 1999.

  BACKGROUND

• Beauchamp M, Dunlop WL, Downey SM, Estabrooks PA. First impressions count: perceptions of surface-level and deep-level similarity within postnatal exercise classes and implications for program adherence. J Health Psychol. 2012 Jan;17(1):68-76. doi: 10.1177/1359105311408156. Epub 2011 Jun 6.

  PMID: 21646291 BACKGROUND

• Dunlop WL, Beauchamp MR. The relationship between intra-group age similarity and exercise adherence. Am J Prev Med. 2012 Jan;42(1):53-5. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2011.08.018.

  PMID: 22176846 BACKGROUND

• Beauchamp MR, Carron AV, McCutcheon S, Harper O. Older adults' preferences for exercising alone versus in groups: considering contextual congruence. Ann Behav Med. 2007 Apr;33(2):200-6. doi: 10.1007/BF02879901.

  PMID: 17447872 BACKGROUND

• Dunlop WL, Beauchamp MR. En-gendering choice: preferences for exercising in gender-segregated and gender-integrated groups and consideration of overweight status. Int J Behav Med. 2011 Sep;18(3):216-20. doi: 10.1007/s12529-010-9125-6.

  PMID: 20972657 BACKGROUND

• Shapcott KM, Carron AV, Burke SM, Bradshaw MH, Estabrooks PA.Member diversity and cohesion and performance in walking groups. Small Group Research 37, 701-730, 2006.

  BACKGROUND

• Dunlop WL, Beauchamp MR. Does similarity make a difference? Predicting cohesion and attendance behaviors within exercise group settings. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice 15(3): 258-66, 2011.

  BACKGROUND

• Beauchamp MR, Liu Y, Dunlop WL, Ruissen GR, Schmader T, Harden SM, Wolf SA, Puterman E, Sheel AW, Rhodes RE. Psychological mediators of exercise adherence among older adults in a group-based randomized trial. Health Psychol. 2021 Mar;40(3):166-177. doi: 10.1037/hea0001060.

  PMID: 33630638 DERIVED

• Beauchamp MR, Ruissen GR, Dunlop WL, Estabrooks PA, Harden SM, Wolf SA, Liu Y, Schmader T, Puterman E, Sheel AW, Rhodes RE. Group-based physical activity for older adults (GOAL) randomized controlled trial: Exercise adherence outcomes. Health Psychol. 2018 May;37(5):451-461. doi: 10.1037/hea0000615.

  PMID: 29698019 DERIVED

• Beauchamp MR, Harden SM, Wolf SA, Rhodes RE, Liu Y, Dunlop WL, Schmader T, Sheel AW, Zumbo BD, Estabrooks PA. GrOup based physical Activity for oLder adults (GOAL) randomized controlled trial: study protocol. BMC Public Health. 2015 Jun 27;15:592. doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-1909-9.

  PMID: 26116237 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

methyl alpha-D-6-(12-(9-anthroyl)stearoyl)glucoside

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Mark R Beauchamp, PhD

  University of British Columbia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 17, 2013
• First Posted: December 30, 2013
• Study Start: January 1, 2014
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2015
• Study Completion: August 1, 2015
• Last Updated: September 7, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-09

Locations

CA (3)