Motivating and sustaining older adults in exercise classes
Regular and appropriate exercise training has been shown to improve the functional abilities and overall well-being of both healthy older adults and older adults with complex health conditions (Stead et al, 1997). However, engaging older adults in physical activity is a difficult task. There is often a general acceptance of physical deterioration and therefore a reluctance to consider preventative measures (Stead et al, 1997). Even when older adults initiate exercise they will often discontinue their involvement within the first 6 months (Robinson and Rogers, 1994).
No single factor predicts whether an older adult might consider and then continue with an exercise programme. A range of factors, often unique to the individual, determines participation they have been described as personal characteristics, environmental characteristics and programme characteristics (Laventure and Skelton, 2007). Programme characteristics might include design and delivery of the class and your interpersonal skills (Laventure and Skelton 2007, Dinan 2001). These are factors, which are within your control as an instructor.
Both your commitment to your classes and your interaction with your participants has a huge impact on your participant’s involvement and enjoyment of exercise. However, little is known about how many qualified Level 3 older people instructors are delivering exercise classes to older people in the U.K. What types of classes you are delivering and your characteristics. We have tried to find out more about this, in the hope that a greater understanding of your role can help to improve the uptake and maintenance of classes by older adults.
Thanks to your participation in a U.K wide survey we have collected information about a range of instructors and classes. This will enable us to choose a smaller sample to work with in more depth. 788 instructors with a range of level 3 qualifications have completed the survey and 374 of these were EXTEND instructors making you the most well represented group of instructors! Currently we are in the process of cleaning and analysing the data and looking at recruitment to the second phase of the study. Can we thank your participation so far and also the in-depth additional information that so many of you have shared.
Helen Hawley - Postgraduate Researcher
References
Laventure, R, Skelton, DA. (2007) Breaking down the barriers: Strategies to motivate the older client to begin and sustain exercise participation. Fitness Professionals Magazine. Sept; 42-43.
McAuley, E. (1993). Self-efficacy and the maintenance of exercise participation in older adults. Journal of Behavioral Medicine 16(1): 103-113.
Robinson, J.L. Rogers, M.A. (1994) Adherence to exercise programs: Recommendations. Sports Medicine, 17, 39-52.
Stead, M. Wimbush, E. Eadie, D. Teer, P (1997) A Qualitative Study of Older People’s Perceptions of Ageing and Exercise: The Implications for Health Promotion. Health Education Journal. 56 (3) 3-16.
Yardley, L. Donovan-Hall, M. Francis, C. Todd, C (2007). Attitudes and beliefs that predict older people’s intention to undertake strength and balance training. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 2: 199-225.
