Purpose: Sedentary lifestyle is a leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality. The study purpose was to compare the effectiveness of theory-based tailored newsletters and generic newsletters in increasing participation in moderate intensity activity, stretching and strengthening exercises (based on Healthy People 2010 guidelines) over 12 months among midlife and older rural women. Conceptual Framework: The intervention was framed within the Health Promotion Model (Pender, 1996), with tailored newsletter messages based on women’s level of physical activity, identified goals, perceived self-efficacy, benefits, barriers, and interpersonal support for physical activity. Subjects: 220 rural women aged 50-69. Methods: Experimental comparison group design. Women were recruited via random digit dialing from rural areas in a Midwestern state. Nurses individually supervised women at 3-month intervals in completing computerized established reliable and valid measures of activity and activity determinants and assessed biomarkers. Activity measures included behavioral self-report (7-Day Activity Recall) and biomarkers: cardiorespiratory fitness (V02max estimated from Rockport Walking Fitness Test), flexibility (sit and reach test) and lower body strength (timed chair stands). Newsletters were mailed biweekly during months1-6 and monthly during months 7-12. Tailored newsletters included individualized messages based upon specific data from women’s periodic assessments; generic newsletters included more general messages. Results and Conclusions: Repeated measures ANOVAs found significant (p < .001) time effects (baseline, 6 & 12 months) for all activity measures and time x group interactions for lower body strength, favoring the tailored group. Planned comparisons then revealed significant improvements in all measures from baseline to 6 months and baseline to 12 months for both groups, except that weekly moderate intensity activity minutes increased only in the tailored group at 12 months. Percentage of change will be reported. Both tailored and generic newsletters can influence midlife and older rural women to increase physical activity. Funded by NINR Grant No. R01 NR04861
Session #1173 - Physical Activity and Patient Outcomes
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)