Implementation of the Choose to Move program in Sydney Australia for people aged 50 and over

Choose to Move (CTM) is a community-based program, co-designed with older adults, that increases physical activity and mobility and reduces social isolation. The Choose to Move program was successfully developed and implemented in Canada by the Active Aging Research Team at the University of British Columbia, with funding from the Government of British Columbia. Choose to Move was rigorously developed with implementation science principles. It is scalable, co-designed, adaptable, tailored for communities, and based on authentic partnerships. Choose to Move integrates behaviour change principles into the following components: 1. A one-on-one consultation (1 x 30-minutes) with the activity coach in week 2. The consultation helps participants set health-related goals and develop a physical activity action plan that fits their routine and suits their interests, goals, abilities, and resources. The consultation session will be delivered face to face or by telephone or videoconference as preferred by the participant. The activity coach will have experience working with older adults and be aware of supports and services in their community to help facilitate physical activity behaviour change. The coaching session is a one-off session and will take place in week two of the program. The session will also draw on evidence-based behaviour change techniques, practice, and theories to help participants set goals, action plan, and provide accountability. 2. Group meetings (8 x 1-hour) led by activity coaches where participants connect with others in their group to share experiences, encourage and motivate each other. Participants learn about various health topics (e.g., falls prevention, stress management, nutrition) and resources available in their communities from the activity coach. Participants receive the most support during the first six weeks of the program. The first six weeks includes contact every week via a one-on-one consultation and 5 group meetings. This provides the individual and group support they need to set goals and to build physical activity into their lives. In the final six weeks, participants attend three group meetings, during weeks 8, 10, and 12. These meetings help keep participants on-track and set longer-term goals as they approach the end of Choose to Move. The principles for guiding these components are underpinned by the theoretical models of behaviour change (Self-Determination Theory and the COM-B Model). The self-determination theory outlines three aspects of motivation for behaivour change (autonomy, competence and relatedness) whereas the COM-B model provides a framework for three aspects that drive behaviour change (capability, opportunity and motivation). Behaviour change practice techniques will include goal setting and motivational interviewing (MI). These techniques will be used in discussing with participants what physical activity they would like to do and feel they can do and used in the group meetings to enhance socialisation and physical activity engagement. Participants will be encouraged to identify strengths, barriers and strategies to improving physical activity and social connection. Activity coaches will assist planning, self-monitoring and evaluation of these goals. 3. Access to the Choose to Move Website: Participants will have access to the Choose to Move website designed specifically for this study that contains a collection of trusted resources specific to the context of Sydney, Australia. Materials and information include links to exercise videos and printable resources on topics such as strength, balance, flexibility, bone and joint health. Participants will have the ability to access the resources at their own discretion. https://choosetomove.org.au/ 4. Facebook page: Participants will have access to the public Choose to Move Facebook page which will have resources and information on physical activity. https://www.facebook.com/ChooseToMovement 5. Resources (Group meeting PowerPoint presentations, handouts and fortnightly newsletters): Each group meeting will have a PowerPoint presentation focused on a specific health topic that the activity coaches will deliver. After each group meeting there is an accompanying handout. It includes a summary of key information specific to individual group meeting as well as links to additional resources. They will emphasise the importance of being active, maintaining of health and physical function. Participants also have the option of signing up for a fortnightly newsletter to receive updates about the program and receive additional resources to help keep active. Strategies used to monitor adherence will include sessions attendance list (group meeting and one on one check list).