%0 Journal Article
%T Effects of a Behavioral Program on Exercise Adherence and Exercise Self-Efficacy in Community-Dwelling Older Persons
%A Azliyana Azizan
%A Maria Justine
%A Chua Siew Kuan
%J Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/282315
%X Background. This study determines the effects of a behavioral program on exercise adherence (step counts) and level of exercise self-efficacy (ESE) in community-dwelling older persons. Methods. Sixty-three participants (age = years) were enrolled in this controlled quasi-experimental study. They were divided into 3 groups: (1) EBG performed a 6-week exercise intervention followed by a 5-week behavioral program, (2) EG performed exercise intervention similar to EBG, and (3) control group (CG) did not receive any interventions. Step counts were measured based on the scores recorded by a pedometer while ESE was measured by a self-reported ESE scale. Results. Data analysis showed significant differences due to time effect ( , , and ); time and group interactions ( , , and ); and between-group effect ( , , and ) for step counts. As for ESE, significant differences were also found for time effect ( , , and ); time and group interactions ( , , and ); and between-group effect ( , , and ). EBG presented with significantly higher mean changes for both step counts and ESE compared to other groups (all ). Conclusion. This study suggests that the addition of a behavioral program is superior as compared to exercising alone on increasing exercise adherence and level of self-efficacy in older persons. 1. Introduction Purposeful exercise and increased participation in physical activity are among the most important components of lifestyle, especially for older persons [1]. Participation in these activities is considered an important behavior that may yield benefits especially on maintaining the physical and psychological well-being [2¨C5]. A published review on physical activity and aging highlighted that older persons who actively participated in a long term exercise program appear to have a good quality of life [6]. Regrettably, majority of old people around the world lead a sedentary lifestyle with very little knowledge regarding the importance of physical activity. As highlighted by Irvine et al. [7], almost 39% older persons do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines and 33% also reported no leisure-time physical activity. This meant that a portion of older people did not meet the recommended exercise program suggested by the American College of Sports Medicine [8]. An exercise program for older persons must include a multicomponent training, namely, endurance, flexibility, strengthening, and balance [8]. Older persons are encouraged to perform moderate intensity exercise 5 days per week with a minimum of 30 minutes per session. This recommendation aims to
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/cggr/2013/282315/