Elsevier, Preventive Medicine Reports, (2), p. 595-597, 2015
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.07.008
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Objective: Well-designed exercise can prevent falls in older people but previous research indicates that promoting general physical activity may increase falls. This study aimed to evaluate uptake and adherence to a physical activity promotion and fall prevention intervention among community-dwelling people aged 60. + years. Methods: This was a process evaluation of intervention group data from an ongoing randomised controlled trial. Participants were 38 Australian community-dwelling older people assigned to intervention group who had completed 3. months of a physical activity and fall prevention intervention. Study measures included baseline daily step count assessed by Actigraph accelerometers, 12. week follow-up step count assessed by Fitbit pedometers and rating of participant engagement with the health coaching intervention. Results: 35 participants remained in the study at week 12 and were analysed. Mean daily steps significantly increased in week 12 compared with steps at baseline (change in mean = 1101 steps, 95% CI: 285-1917, p = 0.01). Health coaching engagement was rated as high for 19 people (54%), medium for 12 (34%) and low for 4 people (12%). All participants used the Fitbit to provide feedback about daily activity. Conclusion: The excellent intervention compliance and promising physical activity results demonstrate the acceptability and feasibility of this novel intervention.