Older adults are specifically identified as a population that can benefit from participation in physical activity. Unfortunately, 66% of the older adult population does not engage in regular physical activity. Understanding the mediating variables associated with subsequent changes in physical activity is important because this approach enables researchers to carefully test the theoretical assumptions made regarding both the ability of educational experiences to produce changes in mediating variables and the importance of mediating variables in supporting behavior change. Thus relatively precise determinations can be made regarding program efficacy in producing desired changes in mediating variables and behavioral outcomes. This approach can contribute substantively to the literature on health promotion theory. The purpose of this study was to analyze the research on the mediating variables associated with older adult physical activity interventions. Twenty-nine physical activity behavioral intervention studies were found in the literature. A thorough analysis reveals that none of the studies examined the changes in the mediating variables. These studies focused primarily on the outcomes of engaging in physical activity. Few studies examined the changes in physical activity. Most intervention research focuses on the effects of physical activity on health status. A change in the focus of the intervention research to understanding the effects of the intervention on the mediating variables and the subsequent change in physical activity will provide a more systematic and cost-effective approach to increasing the effectiveness of physical activity interventions for older adults.
Learning Objectives: 1. identify the characteristics associated with older adult physical activity 2. describe the importance of mediating variables in intervention research
Keywords: Elderly, Physical Activity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.