Academic Articles

• Forsyth, G. (2020). Assessment of physical health, physical performance, and physical activity in exercise promotion intervention for older adults (Order No. 27831736). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ Colorado State University; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2447297047). Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy2.library.colostate.edu/docview/2447297047?accountid=10223

This study examined the effects of an intervention program, known as AgingPlus, on indicators of physical health (i.e. systolic and diastolic blood pressure), physical performance (i.e. left- and right-hand grip strength), and physical activity levels (i.e. total steps walked, total kilocalorie expenditure, and total distance). The sample included 120 older-adult participants who were relatively healthy and community residing. The study used a randomized pretest-posttest control group design. Findings showed that NVOA and self-efficacy beliefs did not mediate the association between the intervention and the outcome variables. We found that participants in the treatment and the control group improved their physical health, physical performance, and physical activity from the baseline assessment to the Week 8 follow-up. Additionally, the results showed that only participants in the treatment condition significantly decreased their systolic and diastolic blood pressure and significantly improved their left- and right-hand grip strength over an eight-week interval. These findings suggest that targeting NVOA and self-efficacy beliefs may be an effective strategy to optimize adults’ healthy aging.

• Diehl, M., Nehrkorn-Bailey, A., Thompson, K., Rodriguez, D., Li, K., Rebok, G. W., ... & Forsyth, G. (2020). The AgingPLUS trial: Design of a randomized controlled trial to increase physical activity in middle-aged and older adults. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 96, 106105.

Background: Negative views of aging (NVOA), low self-efficacy beliefs, and poor goal planning skills represent risk factors that undermine adults' motivation to engage in physical activity (PA). Targeting these three risk factors may motivate adults to become physically active.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of AgingPLUS, a 4-week educational program that explicitly targets NVOA, low self-efficacy beliefs, and poor goal planning skills compared to a 4-week health education program. The study also examines the role of NVOA, self-efficacy beliefs, and goal planning as the mechanisms underlying change in PA.

Design: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) utilizes the experimental medicine approach to assess change in PA as a function of modifying three risk factors. The RCT recruitment target includes 288 mostly sedentary adults ranging in age from 45 to 75 years.

Methods: Eligible middle-aged and older adults are recruited through community sources. Participants are randomized to either the AgingPLUS or the control group. Participants in both groups are enrolled in the trial for 8 months total, with four assessment points: Baseline (pre-test), Week 4 (immediate post-test), Week 8 (delayed post-test), and Month 6 (long-term follow-up). The intervention takes place over 4 consecutive weeks with 2-h sessions each week. PA engagement is the primary outcome variable. Positive changes in NVOA, self-efficacy beliefs, and goal planning are the intervention targets and hypothesized mediators of increases in PA.

Summary: By utilizing a multi-component approach and targeting a cluster of psychological mechanisms, the AgingPLUS program implements the experimental medicine approach to health behavior change.