A Multicomponent Physical Activity Intervention for Older Adults

At the start of the intervention, participants received a home-delivered toolkit and a printed exercise guide. The toolkit included a smartwatch to monitor daily physical activity, color-coded resistance bands, an exercise mat, a gymnastic stick, cones, and a light dumbbell to support aerobic, strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, and mobility training. The guide provided a structured 12-week progressive multicomponent program covering the four physical activity domains recommended for older adults: aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening, balance/coordination, and flexibility. Training volume and difficulty increased weekly, with walking progressing from 15 to 55 minutes per session and strength and balance exercises from 8 to 12 repetitions per set. Standing, seated, and supported exercise options were included to accommodate different functional capacities and promote safe progression toward WHO physical activity recommendations

In addition to the exercise toolkit, participants allocated to Arm 2 received remote support from an exercise specialist with training in physical activity promotion and behavior-change techniques. Support focused on goal setting, identification of barriers and facilitators, problem solving, progression of activities, motivation, and safety. Participants selected their preferred communication channel, including telephone calls, video calls, messaging applications, or social media platforms. Each participant received two scheduled 15-minute contacts per week throughout the intervention, with a maximum of two additional contacts available upon request when additional support was needed.