A novel approach to increase physical activity in older adults in the community using citizen science: a mixed-methods study

Anja Frei (), Kaba Dalla Lana, Thomas Radtke, Emily Stone, Nevil Knöpfli and Milo A. Puhan
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Anja Frei: University of Zurich
Kaba Dalla Lana: University of Zurich
Thomas Radtke: University of Zurich
Emily Stone: University of Zurich
Nevil Knöpfli: University of Zurich
Milo A. Puhan: University of Zurich

International Journal of Public Health, 2019, vol. 64, issue 5, No 6, 669-678

Abstract: Abstract Objectives The aims of this study were to implement a novel, community-based physical activity (PA) intervention in a Swiss town with active participation of elderly participants and to evaluate its effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability and sustainability. Methods The CAPACITY intervention combined important determinants of PA, used smartphone apps to provide feedback/facilitate interaction, and followed a citizen science approach to enable participants to organize walking groups. We targeted persons > 60 years from Wetzikon. Assessments took place at baseline and after 6 months, during this intervention period, and 11 months after step-wise withdrawal of the study team. Results Twenty-nine persons were included in the study; 25 conducted 6-month follow-up. They had a significant increase in moderate-to-vigorous PA (p = 0.046) but not in daily steps (p = 0.331). After the intervention period, key participants took over organization, independently organized monthly get-togethers, added new walking routes and continuously recruit new participants. Eleven months after withdrawal of the study team, 61 people regularly walk in groups together. Conclusions The novel CAPACITY intervention was successfully implemented, transferred to participants and is now self-sustainable for almost 1 year in the community.

Keywords: Physical activity; Walking intervention; Elderly; Community; Citizen science; Long-term sustainability; CAPACITY (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-019-01230-3

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