The Effectiveness of Supervised Group-based Walking Program Among Older Adults

Summary

Aim and Objectives:

The overall aim is to examine the effectiveness of supervised group-based walking intervention by comparing with non-supervised group-based walking and non-supervised individual-based walking interventions on improving physical, psychological and social outcomes among the older adults in Hong Kong. The outcomes of the research will be used as references for designing an effective walking operation manual for promoting healthy ageing among older adults in the community.

Objectives (Phase 1-Intervention):

1. To compare the differences of effects among supervised group-based, 5 non-supervised group-based, and non-supervised individual-based walking intervention programs, and the control group on the primary outcomes, including physical health, walking performance, loneliness, perceived social support and physical activity enjoyment among the older adults in Hong Kong.
2. To compare the differences of effects among supervised group-based, non-supervised group-based, and non-supervised individual-based walking intervention programs, and the control group on the secondary outcomes, including health-related quality of life and functional fitness among the older adults in Hong Kong.

(Please refer to Appendix D for the outcome measurements of the intervention) Objectives (Phase 2-Promotion)

1. To formulate and develop a walking operation manual for the use of implementing an effective walking program for the older adults in Hong Kong.
2. To promote and organize mass walking programs with the format as informed by the Phase 1 study among the older adults in the community (n=900-1080).
3. To raise the government's awareness towards the promotion of an effective walking program as informed by Phase 1 study for achieving the government's goal in promoting active aging.

Conditions

• Physical Inactivity
• Social Interaction

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Supervised Group-based Intervention

The intervention will be an 18-week walking program, with 3 times per week on alternative days. A 2-week basic walking practice with 3 sessions per week, 30-45 minutes per session, and being led by a certified walking trainer. The walking practice will take reference from the exercise procedure recommended by the "Healthy Exercise for All Campaign" (LCSD, Department of Health, and Physical Fitness Association Hong Kong, China, 2013). Upon completion of the 2-week basic walking practice, participants will enter week-3 to week-18 main walking program, in which the duration of each training session will increase to 45-70 minutes, depending on the levels of training. In the walking programs, the progressive training principle (ACSM, 2009) will be adopted, using 4 levels as prescribed, in which weeks 3 to 6 are Level-1; weeks 7 to 10 are Level-2, weeks 11 to 14 are Level-3, week 15-18 are Level-4.

BEHAVIORAL

Non-supervised Group-based Intervention

The intervention will be an 18-week walking program, with 3 times per week on alternative days. A 2-week basic walking practice with 3 sessions per week, 30-45 minutes per session, and without being led by a certified walking trainer. The walking practice will take reference from the exercise procedure recommended by the "Healthy Exercise for All Campaign" (LCSD, Department of Health, and Physical Fitness Association Hong Kong, China, 2013). Upon completion of the 2-week basic walking practice, participants will enter week-3 to week-18 main walking program, in which the duration of each training session will increase to 45-70 minutes, depending on the levels of training. In the walking programs, the progressive training principle (ACSM, 2009) will be adopted, using 4 levels as prescribed, in which weeks 3 to 6 are Level-1; weeks 7 to 10 are Level-2, weeks 11 to 14 are Level-3, week 15-18 are Level-4.

BEHAVIORAL

Non-supervised Individual-based Intervention

The intervention will be an 18-week walking program, with 3 times per week on alternative days. A 2-week basic walking practice with 3 sessions per week, 30-45 minutes per session, and without being led by a certified walking trainer. The walking practice will take reference from the exercise procedure recommended by the "Healthy Exercise for All Campaign" (LCSD, Department of Health, and Physical Fitness Association Hong Kong, China, 2013). Upon completion of the 2-week basic walking practice, participants will enter week-3 to week-18 main walking program, in which the duration of each training session will increase to 45-70 minutes, depending on the levels of training. In the walking programs, the progressive training principle (ACSM, 2009) will be adopted, using 4 levels as prescribed, in which weeks 3 to 6 are Level-1; weeks 7 to 10 are Level-2, weeks 11 to 14 are Level-3, week 15-18 are Level-4.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Education University of Hong Kong

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-06-22

Primary Completion

2025-02-20

Completion

2025-03-31

Countries

• Hong Kong

Study Locations