AgingPLUS: Promoting Physical Activity in Adults

AgingPLUS is a multi-component intervention program that addresses negative views of aging (NVOA), low internal control beliefs, and deficient goal planning as a risk cluster that keeps adults from engaging in health-promoting behavior. The program focuses on engagement in physical activity (PA) as the health behavior of choice. Engagement in PA is widely recognized as the best non-pharmacological, non-invasive, and cost-effective method of health promotion. Yet, only 20% of the adult population meets the recommended PA guidelines. This suggests that messages about the benefits of PA alone are not effective. Rather, it is essential to address the social-cognitive and motiva-tional mechanisms that prevent adults from adopting and maintaining a regular PA regimen. NVOA, low internal control beliefs, and deficient goal planning represent such a cluster of social-cognitive and motivational mechanisms.

Given this background, the specific aims and hypotheses of the proposed research are:

Aim 1: To conduct a randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of the AgingPLUS program.

Aim 2: To test a conceptual model of the mechanisms underlying the intervention effects.

Aim 3: To conduct a 6-month follow-up to examine the longer-term effects of AgingPLUS.

Upon completion of this project, we expect to have successfully established evidence for the efficacy of the AgingPLUS program (Stage II of the NIH Stage Mode). The long-term goal is to develop AgingPLUS into a full-fledged evidence-based program that can be implemented in community settings (e.g., senior centers), and can serve as a fairly brief and cost-effective public health tool to promote healthy and successful aging.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults who engage in less than 60 minutes of PA per week and who intend starting a physical exercise program.
• English speaking.
• Willingness to be randomized to one of two programs.
• Willingness to take part in the physical fitness tests and wear an accelerometer.
• Willingness to commit to follow-up testing (i.e., not moving out of the area during the study period).
• Physician clearance to take part in a submaximal exercise test and to begin an exercise program.

Exclusion criteria

• Signs of cognitive decline (defined as more than 4 errors on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire).
• Severe vision and/or hearing loss (obtained by self-report).
• Serious problems with mobility.
• A history of neurological, mental, or substance abuse disorders.