Individual progress toward self-selected goals among older adults enrolled in a physical activity counseling intervention

J Aging Phys Act. 2010 Oct;18(4):439-50. doi: 10.1123/japa.18.4.439.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine what happens to goals over the course of a physical activity counseling trial in older veterans. At baseline, participants (N = 313) identified 1 health-related goal and 1 walking goal for their participation in the study and rated where they perceived themselves to be relative to that goal at the current time. They rated their current status on these same goals again at 6 and 12 mo. Growth-curve analyses were used to examine longitudinal change in perceived goal status. Although both the intervention and control groups demonstrated improvement in their perceived proximity to their health-related and walking goals (L = 1.19, p < .001), the rates of change were significantly greater in the intervention group (β = -.30, p < .05). Our results demonstrate that this physical activity counseling intervention had a positive impact on self-selected goals over the course of the intervention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Counseling*
  • Exercise* / psychology
  • Goals*
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Veterans
  • Virginia
  • Walking