Results of the Third Year of Active for Life®

Abstract

Active for Life (AFL) is an effectiveness study of evidence-based physical activity (PA) programs for community dwelling midlife and older adults. Pilot results demonstrated that each of the 9 community-based grantees could recruit 100 participants and significantly increase their PA and improve related quality of life outcomes. PURPOSE: To determine the ability of grantees to recruit and deliver the programs to an additional 300 participants per site and achieve changes in PA and health outcomes similar to those achieved in the pilot. METHODS: In the third year of the program, 4 AFL grantees implemented Active Choices, a 6-mo telephone-based PA program, and 5 implemented Active Living Every Day, a 20-wk group-based PA program. Hrs/wk of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) (CHAMPS), % meeting PA recommendations (BRFS S), depressive symptoms (10-item CES-D), perceived stress (PSS), satisfaction with body appearance and function, and BMI were measured at pre and posttest. Repeated measures ANCOVA controlled for group clustering within sites and race, sex, BMI, health, and education. Intent to treat analyses carried forward pretest value if no posttest survey was completed. Effect sizes (d) were also computed. RESULTS: A total of 2,604 participants completed pretest surveys; 1,821 (70%) completed posttest surveys. Participants averaged 68.9 ± 9.8 years; 81.5% were women; and 57.3% were Caucasian. Most had a chronic illness, with hypertension (59.4%), arthritis (57.5%), diabetes (24.5%), and osteoporosis (20.6%) most common. Atpre-test 24.4% were sedentary, 57.1% were underactive, and 18.5% were regularly active. At post-test these numbers were 9.6%, 51.8%, and 38.7%, respectively. Participants reported increased MVPA (p < .0001, d = 0.39); decreased depressive symptoms (p = .03, d = −0.06), stress (p = .003, d = −0.11), and BMI (p = .002, d = −0.03); and improved satisfaction with body function (p < .0001, d = 0.40) and appearance (p < .0001, d = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide support that evidence-based PA programs can be repeatedly implemented in community-based settings with diverse participants and achieve a magnitude of change similar to more highly controlled research settings. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.