Evaluating Impact and Implementation of Choose to Move (Phase 3)

Choose to Move: Impact and Implementation Evaluation of a Program to Enhance Older Adult Physical Activity, Mobility and Health

The objectives of this study are to 1) evaluate whether Choose to Move (CTM) improves health outcomes in older adults who participate and 2) assess whether CTM is delivered as planned and what factors support or inhibit delivery at scale.

CTM is a 6 month, choice-based program for low active older adults being scaled-up across British Columbia, Canada. The goals of CTM are to enhance physical activity, mobility and social connectedness in older adults living in British Columbia, Canada.

CTM is a 6 month, choice-based program for low active older adults being scaled-up in phases across British Columbia, Canada. Within CTM (phase 3), trained activity coaches support older adults in three ways. First, in a one-on-one consultation, activity coaches help participants to set goals and create action plans for physical activity tailored to each person's interests and abilities. Older adults can choose to participate in individual or group-based activities. Second, activity coaches facilitate a series of group meetings with small groups of participants. Finally, activity coaches regularly check in with participants to provide ongoing support. Activity coaches and recreation departments across BC are trained and provided with resources to deliver CTM.

Objectives:

1. To assess the impact (effectiveness) of CTM (phase 3) delivered at scale on the physical activity, mobility and social connectedness of older adults (Part I - Impact Evaluation)
2. To assess whether the program was implemented as planned (fidelity) and investigate factors that support or inhibit implementation at scale (Part II - Implementation Evaluation).

Study Design:

We use a hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation (Curran et al 2012) pre-post study design to evaluate CTM. We use mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) and collect data at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention), 6 (post-intervention) and 18 (12-months post-intervention) months to assess effectiveness and implementation of CTM.

Inclusion Criteria (older adults):

• ≥60 years of age,
• demonstrate readiness for physical activity via the PAR-Q+ questionnaire (Warburton et al 2011), Get Active Questionnaire (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology 2017) or a letter of recommendation from their physician
• <150 min/week physical activity
• English speaking

Exclusion Criteria (older adults):

- previous participation in CTM

Inclusion Criteria (delivery partners):

• Activity coaches will be English speaking BCRPA Registered Older Adult Fitness Leaders or Kinesiologists who are delivering CTM at participating centres
• Recreation Managers and Coordinators affiliated with participating centres delivering CTM
• Provincial Partners (e.g., individuals/partners who make strategic and/or policy decisions) at partner organizations delivering Choose to Move