None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
We have designed a simple intervention aimed at increasing physical activity in females aged 50+. Stage 1 of the Active Women over 50 project involved a pilot RCT (ACTRN12617000485336) to test the impact of a one hour face-to-face education session about physical activity, as well as access to follow-up support strategies (goal setting, email prompts) for promoting behaviour change. In the Active Women over 50 stage 1 pilot RCT (n=130) the education session was well-received among university and hospital employees, with 100% of attendees subsequently investigating the suggested physical activity resources further (e.g. physical activity websites, local facilities, Fitbit device) to increase activity. In order to broaden the reach of the program and to enable implementation to a more varied population of women from different geographical areas, we now plan to develop and evaluate the impact of an online resource in phase 2 of the Active Women over 50 project. Active ageing is at the core of this highly innovative project that targets women aged 50 years and older. To our knowledge there currently exists no other online resource that specifically targets physical activity information and resources in a way that is relevant to the needs of women aged 50+ years. Women in this age group have unique barriers to becoming more active and hence a targeted and supported approach to ensure behaviour change is sustainable is particularly important. Women aged 50+ years may struggle to increase physical activity participation due to factors such as lack of time, carer responsibilities, demands of work, chronic health conditions, chronic pain and disability. By taking a tailored and supported approach to the provision of physical activity information, our innovative project has the potential to substantially increase physical activity participation in people aged 50+. The use of video case studies of real women who have managed to become active in the face of many barriers is a particularly innovative aspect of our program since it provides relevance and familiarity to the target audience. This approach also allows for the targeting of key messages to a broad range of women 50+ from all geographical areas and socioeconomic backgrounds. This project aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an online physical activity behaviour change resource with follow-up support and to pilot test the proposed methods for a planned large RCT to assess the impact of the intervention on physical activity among women aged 50 years and over.
Interventions
Upon giving informed consent and completing baseline measurements, eligible participants will be randomised to receive the intervention immediately or after the 3 month follow-up measurements. The intervention group will receive access to the Active Women over 50 website, one follow-up telephone contact from a research physiotherapist and a choice of either 24 follow-up SMS or 8 follow-up email messages over a 3 month period. Frequency of use of the Active Women over 50 website will be at the di
Upon giving informed consent and completing baseline measurements, eligible participants will be randomised to receive the intervention immediately or after the 3 month follow-up measurements. The intervention group will receive access to the Active Women over 50 website, one follow-up telephone contact from a research physiotherapist and a choice of either 24 follow-up SMS or 8 follow-up email messages over a 3 month period. Frequency of use of the Active Women over 50 website will be at the discretion of the participant. The follow-up telephone contact will encourage goal setting and physical activity behaviour change, based on evidence-based theoretically grounded behaviour change principles. The follow up email and SMS messages will be similar in content. The purpose of the messages is to support physical activity behaviour change through behaviour change techniques. These techniques include providing practical tips, addressing barriers, providing motivation by social modelling and reminders of the benefits of physical activity, assisting with action planning and problem solving and time management. These messages will also link participants back to the website.The Active Women over 50 website will emphasise the importance of becoming active from middle age for maintenance of health and physical function and prevention of falls in older age. Content will include evidence-based information about the impact of even small increases in physical activity on health and longevity as well as inspirational video case studies of “success stories”; people who have managed to increase their physical activity levels in the face of mobility/ health/ practical difficulties and the benefits that they have experienced. Guidance on the setting of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-related) goals and self-assessment of barriers to physical activity participation and solution generation will be an important inclusion on the website. The website will link to other sources of support/ information, such as the NSW Ministry of Health-funded Get Healthy free health coaching service and the Active and Healthy online directory of physical activity opportunities.
Sponsors
School of Public Health, The University of Sydney
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
50 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Eligible participants will be aged 50 years and over, female, community dwelling in New South Wales, Australia.
Exclusion criteria
People will be excluded if they: i) have insufficient English language skills to fully participate in the program; ii) do not have access to the internet iii) have a medical condition that precludes participation in regular physical activity; iv) are already sufficiently active in accordance with the Australian Physical Activity guidelines.
Outcome results
None listed