Promoting Walking in Older Adults Living in Independent Living Communities in Northern Ireland: A Feasibility Study.

The proposed study is a cluster randomized controlled feasibility trial of a multi-level peer-led walking intervention. The socio-ecological model and social cognitive theory provides the framework that will help inform and test the feasibility of a multi-level peer-led walking intervention for inactive older adults living in independent living communities in Northern Ireland. The behaviour change techniques identified and extracted from a previous systematic review on the effectiveness of peer-led physical activity interventions helped guide the decision-making process of which behavior change strategies should be included in this study. The logic model helped inform the design and development of the 12 week peer-led walking programme.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults over the age of 60 years recruited from fold housing associations, dependent on site; those receiving nursing care will not be included.
• Inactive/not regularly walking (less than 30 minutes
• Have the ability to read, write, understand and speak English.
• Can walk freely without human assistance (residents will be included they use a walking stick/walking aid.)

Exclusion criteria

• If they have fallen in the last 6 months
• Have regular nursing assistance/care within the fold
• Residents with dementia or other cognitive challenges will be excluded.