Prosocial Behavior and Volunteerism to Promote Physical Activity in Older Adults
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 55 - Any |
| Updated: | 8/16/2018 |
| Start Date: | August 15, 2011 |
| End Date: | March 28, 2017 |
The purpose of this 12-month study is to compare how well two programs help older adults make
physical activity a regular habit.
physical activity a regular habit.
Although only a small percentage of older adults engage in habitual physical activity,
previous studies have demonstrated interventions that include cognitive-behavioral strategies
can enhance long-term, independent physical activity. In addition, there are episodic charity
events, such as charity walks, that attract large numbers of participants of all age ranges
to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity. These actions are a form of prosocial
behavior, defined as voluntary, intentional behavior that results in benefits for another.
The opportunity to help others seems to be a motive in inspiring these individuals to at
least engage in one session of moderate physical activity. Thus, the current research project
contemplates whether prosocial behavior may be implemented as a viable behavioral incentive
for long-term physical activity.
Participants in the Prosocial Behavior Physical Activity (PBPA) intervention will receive a
cognitive-behavioral intervention to teach participants the behavioral skills necessary to
engage in long-term (12-month) independent physical activity. Participants in the Healthy
Aging (HA) intervention will receive excellent educational sessions based on a number of
topics of relevance to older adults. Both programs will provide supervised stretching
sessions so that participants learn how to safely and effectively improve flexibility, which
helps reduce the likelihood of falls and disability. However, the PBPA intervention will also
allow participants to earn food for donation to Second Harvest Food Bank based on their
regular physical activity and volunteer time.
previous studies have demonstrated interventions that include cognitive-behavioral strategies
can enhance long-term, independent physical activity. In addition, there are episodic charity
events, such as charity walks, that attract large numbers of participants of all age ranges
to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity. These actions are a form of prosocial
behavior, defined as voluntary, intentional behavior that results in benefits for another.
The opportunity to help others seems to be a motive in inspiring these individuals to at
least engage in one session of moderate physical activity. Thus, the current research project
contemplates whether prosocial behavior may be implemented as a viable behavioral incentive
for long-term physical activity.
Participants in the Prosocial Behavior Physical Activity (PBPA) intervention will receive a
cognitive-behavioral intervention to teach participants the behavioral skills necessary to
engage in long-term (12-month) independent physical activity. Participants in the Healthy
Aging (HA) intervention will receive excellent educational sessions based on a number of
topics of relevance to older adults. Both programs will provide supervised stretching
sessions so that participants learn how to safely and effectively improve flexibility, which
helps reduce the likelihood of falls and disability. However, the PBPA intervention will also
allow participants to earn food for donation to Second Harvest Food Bank based on their
regular physical activity and volunteer time.
Inclusion Criteria:
- age 55 years or older
- physically underactive
- no evidence of any major psychological illness
- residence within 20 miles of study site
- plans to remain in area for duration of study
Exclusion Criteria:
- currently engaging in regular physical activity
- self-reported evidence of cardiovascular disease
- self-reported evidence of diabetes
- self-reported falling within the past year
- alcohol consumption greater than 14 drinks per week
- inability to understand English
- plans to move from area
- participation in another medical intervention study
- severe hearing or sight impairments
We found this trial at
1
site
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157
Principal Investigator: Capri G Foy, Ph.D.
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