Adherence to community based group exercise interventions for older people: A mixed-methods systematic review

Farrance, Clare; Tsofliou, Fotini; Clark, Carol

Abstract

Objective
Lifelong physical activity provides some of the best prospects for ageing well. Nevertheless, people tend to become less physically active as they age. This systematic review assessed the views and adherence of participants attending community based exercise programmes of ≥ 6 month's duration.

Method
Searches were carried out in eight online scientific databases (January 1995–May 2014) to identify relevant primary studies. Studies were assessed for quality and data extracted. Results were synthesised thematically and narratively. Qualitative findings were compared against quantitative studies.

Results
A total of 2958 studies were identified and screened against the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria (five quantitative, three qualitative and two mixed-methods study designs). None were excluded on the basis of quality. Six key themes were identified from the qualitative studies as important for adherence to group exercise programmes: social connectedness, participant perceived benefits, programme design, empowering/energising effects, instructor and individual behaviour. The mean adherence rate of studies with comparable measures was (69.1% SD 14.6). When the views of participants from the qualitative synthesis were juxtaposed against the quantitative studies, programme design was a common feature across all studies.

Conclusion
Evidence surrounding these programmes is limited both in terms of long-term adherence measures and the views of participants. However, based on limited findings there is some indication that community based group exercise programmes have long-term adherence rates of almost 70%. Incorporating the views of older people into programme designs may provide guidance for innovative interventions leading to sustained adherence.

Citation

Farrance, C., Tsofliou, F., & Clark, C. (2016). Adherence to community based group exercise interventions for older people: A mixed-methods systematic review. Preventive Medicine, 87, 155-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.02.037

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 23, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Feb 24, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Deposit Date: Jan 30, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 30, 2019
• Journal: Preventive Medicine
• Print ISSN: 0091-7435
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 87
• Pages: 155-166
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.02.037
• Keywords: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; Epidemiology
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1249789
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743516300147
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Adherence to community based group exercise interventions for older people: A mixed-methods systematic review; Journal Title: Preventive Medicine; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.02.037; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.