- Title
- Physical activity intervention for rural middle-aged and older Australian adults: a pilot implementation study of the ecofit program delivered in a real-world setting
- Creator
- Wilczynska, Magdalena; Jansson, Anna K.; Lubans, David R.; Smith, Jordan J.; Robards, Sara L.; Plotnikoff, Ronald C.
- Relation
- Pilot and Feasibility Studies Vol. 7, Issue 1, no. 81
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00823-1
- Publisher
- BioMed Central Ltd.
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2021
- Description
- Background: ecofit is an evidence-based multi-component physical activity intervention that integrates smartphone technology, the outdoor environment, and social support. In a previous efficacy trial, significant improvements were found across several clinical, fitness, and mental health outcomes among adults at risk of (or with) type 2 diabetes. Methods: The aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate a number of patient-centered and feasibility outcomes of the ecofit intervention in a “real-world” setting, using a scalable implementation model. ecofit was adapted and implemented by a rural municipal council in the Upper Hunter Shire, New South Wales, Australia, and evaluated using a single-group pre-post design. Inactive middle-aged and older adults (N=59) were recruited and assessed at 6 (primary time-point) and 20 weeks (follow-up). Results: Improvements were found in this predominantly overweight and obese sample for aerobic fitness, functional mobility, upper and lower body muscular fitness, systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference at 6 weeks. At 20 weeks, effects were found for aerobic fitness, functional mobility, upper and lower body muscular fitness, and systolic blood pressure. Overall, participants were satisfied with the ecofit program. Participants attended the 6-week primary time-point (66.1%) and follow-up at 20 weeks (41.6%). Conclusions: Our findings support the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility of the ecofit intervention delivered by municipal council staff following a brief training from the research team. This study provides valuable preliminary evidence to support a larger implementation trial.
- Subject
- smartphone application; physical activity; outdoor environment; older adults; SDG 3; Sustainable Development Goals
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1450274
- Identifier
- uon:43883
- Identifier
- ISSN:2055-5784
- Language
- eng
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