Promoting Walking in Older Adults Living in Independent Living Communities in Northern Ireland: A Feasibility Study.

Promoting Walking in Older Adults Living in Independent Living Communities in Northern Ireland: A Feasibility Study.

The multi-level 12 week peer-led walking intervention incorporates aspects from all three levels of the ecological model (with the aim of producing sustained (>6months) physical activity behaviour change in older adults living in independent living communities.

The proposed study is a cluster randomized controlled feasibility trial of a multi-level peer-led walking intervention. The socio-ecological model and social cognitive theory provides the framework that will help inform and test the feasibility of a multi-level peer-led walking intervention for inactive older adults living in independent living communities in Northern Ireland. The behaviour change techniques identified and extracted from a previous systematic review on the effectiveness of peer-led physical activity interventions helped guide the decision-making process of which behavior change strategies should be included in this study. The logic model helped inform the design and development of the 12 week peer-led walking programme.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults over the age of 60 years recruited from fold housing associations, dependent on site; those receiving nursing care will not be included.
2. Inactive/not regularly walking (less than 30 minutes
3. Have the ability to read, write, understand and speak English.
4. Can walk freely without human assistance (residents will be included they use a walking stick/walking aid.)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. If they have fallen in the last 6 months
2. Have regular nursing assistance/care within the fold
3. Residents with dementia or other cognitive challenges will be excluded.