TY - JOUR
T1 - Best practices for physical activity programs and behavior counseling in older adult populations
AU - Cress, M. Elaine
AU - Buchner, David M.
AU - Prohaska, Thomas
AU - Rimmer, James
AU - Brown, Marybeth
AU - Macera, Carol
AU - DiPietro, Loretta
AU - Chodzko-Zajko, Wojtek
PY - 2005/1
Y1 - 2005/1
N2 - Physical activity offers one of the greatest opportunities for people to extend years of active independent life and reduce functional limitations. The article identifies key practices for promoting physical activity in older adults, with a focus on those with chronic disease or low fitness and those with low levels of physical activity. Key practices identified: (a) A multidimensional activity program that includes endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility training is optimal for health and functional benefits; (b) principles of behavior change including social support, self-efficacy, active choices, health contracts, assurances of safety, and positive reinforcement enhance adherence; (c) manage risk by beginning at low intensity but gradually increasing to moderate physical activity, which has a better risk:benefit ratio and should be the goal for older adults; (d) an emergency procedure plan is prudent for community-based programs; and (e) monitoring aerobic intensity is important for progression and motivation. Selected content review of physical activity programming from major organizations and institutions is provided.
AB - Physical activity offers one of the greatest opportunities for people to extend years of active independent life and reduce functional limitations. The article identifies key practices for promoting physical activity in older adults, with a focus on those with chronic disease or low fitness and those with low levels of physical activity. Key practices identified: (a) A multidimensional activity program that includes endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility training is optimal for health and functional benefits; (b) principles of behavior change including social support, self-efficacy, active choices, health contracts, assurances of safety, and positive reinforcement enhance adherence; (c) manage risk by beginning at low intensity but gradually increasing to moderate physical activity, which has a better risk:benefit ratio and should be the goal for older adults; (d) an emergency procedure plan is prudent for community-based programs; and (e) monitoring aerobic intensity is important for progression and motivation. Selected content review of physical activity programming from major organizations and institutions is provided.
KW - Aging
KW - Exercise
KW - Functional limitations
KW - Quality of life
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=11244302887&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=11244302887&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1123/japa.13.1.61
DO - 10.1123/japa.13.1.61
M3 - Article
C2 - 15677836
AN - SCOPUS:11244302887
VL - 13
SP - 61
EP - 74
JO - Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
JF - Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
SN - 1063-8652
IS - 1
ER -