To develop and implement a physical activity promotion intervention for older adults with or without chronic disease living in an urban environment.
The World Health organization recommends that all adults should aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on at least five days of the week. The importance of physical activity for promoting heath is complicated when considering inactive older adults and chronic conditions. A problematic cycle emerges where physical inactivity increases the likelihood for developing chronic conditions, and, in turn, many chronic conditions are associated with symptoms that make physical activity more difficult. The investigators aim to develop and implement a physical activity promotion intervention for older adults with or without chronic disease living in an urban environment that considers individual, interpersonal and environmental factors and makes use of a citizen-science approach and modern PA-monitoring devices.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
29
The intervention is comprised of 5 steps: 1. Goal setting: Over a step-counter (smartphone app) participants learn about their daily average step count. They are coached to set individual goals 2. Fitness assessment: To recommend suitable frequency and intensity of walking program using mapped trails 3. Structured walking groups: Promoted and communicated via app. Participants can additionally organize walking groups of their own. 4. Feedback: Participants will see individual and group data over the step-counter app, and they can communicate with others via a communication app. They will be incentivized to reach goals through a gamification approach. 5. Invite friends: After 12 weeks, participants are encouraged to invite people who fulfil the inclusion criteria to join the project
University of Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland
Physical activity as the average daily number of steps
Average daily number of steps measured by accelerometry (Actigraph wGT3x) during 1 week
Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 months
Physical activity intensity
Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (min/day) measured by accelerometry (Actigraph wGT3x) during 1 week
Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 months
Exercise capacity (1-minute sit-to-stand test)
Number of repetitions performed in the 1-minute sit-to-stand test
Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 months
Health-related quality of life
Assessed by the EQ-5D
Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 months
Symptoms of anxiety and depression
Assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 months
Health status
Assessed by the Feeling Thermometer
Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 months
Perceived social support
Assessed by the short version of the Social Support Questionnaire
Time frame: Change from baseline to 6 months
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