Sample: Sedentary women at least 65 years old were included in the study. Eligible subjects were able to ambulate without assistance but were not currently engaging in 30 minutes of exercise three times per week.

Methods: A randomized two-way factorial experimental design compared the effects of two limited contact interventions. Women in the experimental motivational intervention received three-encounter treatment based on the transtheoretical model, social cognitive theory, and the theory of planned behavior. Women in the standard instruction group received content focused on exercise benefits. Participants randomized to receive prompts also received weekly telephone or mail-delivered exercise cues to exercise. The Physical Activity Scale, Baecke Physical Activity Scale, Ratings of Perceived Exertion, and DigiWalker pedometer scores were used to measure exercise and physical activity.

Findings: Subjects performed significantly more minutes of episodic exercise 6 and 12 months after the interventions than at baseline. More subjects were performing at least some exercise 6 months after the interventions than at baseline. More women achieved the goal of 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times per week 6 and 12 months after the interventions than at baseline. Evidence regarding increases in overall physical activity was inconsistent. Intervention group assignment did not affect treatment outcomes.

Conclusions: The findings document that older women’s exercise behavior is amenable to change with low-intensity interventions. Further research is needed to determine the most effective components of exercise behavior change interventions.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004