The effect of descriptive age norms on the motivation to exercise among older adults.

Based on the principles of the Social Identity Approach (SIA), the present experiment aimed to examine the impact of communicating descriptive age norms on older adults' autonomous motivation to exercise. Under the cover of a marketing study, older adults (n = 120; age = 65-70 years) participated in a newly created exercise activity, 'Pattern Stepping'. This activity was framed as an activity that was descriptively normative either for older adults, for younger adults, for both groups, or for none. Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that participants felt greater satisfaction of their basic psychological needs and were more autonomously motivated to exercise if Pattern Stepping was framed as an activity popular among the young, rather than among older adults. These findings suggest that framing an exercise as descriptively normative for the elderly can thwart older adults' autonomous motivation if they do not identify as an older adult.

Acting One's Age in Physical Exercise: Do Perceived Age Norms Explain Autonomous Motivation Among Older Adults?

BACKGROUND: The social identity approach proposes that the more older adults identify with the social group of "older adults," the more they will conform to what they perceive as being normative exercising for their group. However, so far, it remains unclear why older adults adhere to these norms. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated whether perceived exercise norms are associated with higher levels of autonomous motivation according to the self-determination theory and actual exercise participation. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey, either by regular mail or online, was conducted among 409 older adults in Flanders (Belgium). RESULTS: Our analyses revealed that older adults who perceived more positive older adult norms for exercising were more autonomously motivated to exercise. In explaining 24% of their exercise motivation, older adults' perceptions of the exercise norms for older adults predicted 6% of their exercise participation. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that social identity approach and self-determination theory can be meaningfully integrated.

Ergometer-cycling with strict versus minimal contact supervision among the oldest adults: A cluster-randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and short- and long-term effects of two 10-wk structured ergometer-cycling programs among elderly in assisted-living residences. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Eight assisted-living residences (N=95; age=81.2±5.9years) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) ergometer-cycling with strict coach-supervision (STRICT, N=3; n=35); 2) ergometer-cycling with autonomy-supportive minimal contact coach-supervision (AUT; N=3; n=36); or 3) control condition (CON; N=2, n=24). INTERVENTION: Three-weekly progressive ergometer-cycling sessions for 10 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility, physical activity (PA), muscular strength, functional performance and quality of life (baseline, post-intervention (10weeks) and 6-month follow-up). RESULTS: 83 participants were analyzed post-intervention, 75 at follow-up. Adherence was higher in STRICT than AUT during the intervention (p=0.001), but not during follow-up. Compared with CON, both programs showed positive short- and long-term effects on moderate-intensity PA (p=0.034). With regard to strength, functional performance and well-being, no time-by-group interaction effects were found. When comparing high-adherers (adherence≥80%) to low-adherers, a greater increase in functional performance and in well-being and a trend towards a lower decrease in strength were found in the short-term (p=0.047, p<0.001 and p=0.054, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both interventions were feasible and equally effective to increase long-term engagement in PA, irrespective of the type of supervision. When adherence is high, positive effects on strength, performance and well-being can be expected.

Is knee extension strength a better predictor of functional performance than handgrip strength among older adults in three different settings?

BACKGROUND: The first purpose was to examine whether knee extension strength is a better predictor of functional performance than handgrip strength among older adults (≥60 years). The second purpose was to identify functionally relevant cut-off values for muscle strength. METHODS: 770 community-dwelling older adults, 104 older adults living in assisted living facilities and 73 nursing home residents were included. Static strength, expressed in kg/kg body weight (BW), was measured using two field tests: handgrip (GRIP/BW) and knee extension (KNEE/BW) test. Functional performance was assessed with 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD, N=947) and modified Physical Performance Test (mPPT, N=152). RESULTS: Both GRIP/BW and KNEE/BW were positively correlated with functional performance in all settings (p<0.05). In the community and nursing homes, both strength variables equally contributed to functional performance. In assisted living facilities, KNEE/BW (R(2)6MWD=0.39 and R2mPPT=0.35) was clearly a better predictor of functional performance than GRIP/BW (R(2)6MWD=0.15 and R2mPPT=0.12). GRIP/BW had no added value to KNEE/BW in order to explain the variance in functional performance. Functionally relevant cut-off values for static strength, for men and women respectively, were set at 0.40 and 0.31 for KNEE/BW and at 0.43 and 0.31 for GRIP/BW. CONCLUSIONS: Handgrip and knee extension strength are both important predictors of functional performance in older adults. In assisted living facilities only, knee extension strength was clearly more predictive than handgrip strength. Both cut-off values appear to be highly sensitive to screen for functionally relevant muscle weakness in older adults.

"Every step counts!": effects of a structured walking intervention in a community-based senior organization.

This study evaluated "Every Step Counts!"- a 10-wk, structured walking intervention in a community-based senior organization - on promoting physical activity participation, fitness, and well-being among older adults (age ≥ 55 yr). The intervention prescribed pedometer-defined walks in weekly walking schedules. These were fitness-tailored and structured in walking load (intensity/volume) according to the principles of training progression. This intervention was offered as a social activity at meeting points of a community-based senior organization. Twenty-nine meeting points (n = 432) constituted the intervention condition. Ten meeting points (n = 148) formed the wait-list control condition. Measurements were organized at intervention start (pretest) and end (posttest). Intention-to-treat linear mixed models showed small positive intervention effects on physical activity, fitness, and aspects of well-being. These results confirm the effectiveness of structured walking interventions with systematic training progression and underscore the value of community-based senior organizations as intervention settings for older adults.