Grant: Project Grant

Adults aged 60 or over represent the fastest growing segment of Canada's population. As a result, the prevalence of chronic disease and conditions associated with an aging population are placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems. Physical activity (PA) is a modifiable factor that can prevent the onset and progress of age-related chronic diseases and positively influence physical and mental health outcomes, therefore contributing to healthy aging. Despite these well-documented benefits, many Canadian adults are not meeting the recommended PA guidelines, with levels of PA decreasing steadily with age. Transitioning into retirement is established as a seminal period where significant alterations in lifestyle (e.g., reframing of identity, lack of routine) present an opportunity to promote PA, yet there has been limited research. The primary aim of this study is to test the efficacy of two promotion approaches on PA (measured via accelerometry) across 12 months among newly retired adults who were not participating in regular PA at baseline of the study. The secondary aims are to examine whether these approaches improve physical and mental well-being and health-related fitness outcomes. The study will use a controlled trial of 231 recent (<1.5 yrs) retirees in greater Victoria randomized to one of three groups: 1) an intervention focused on building a PA identity + self-regulation skills; 2) an intervention just focusing on self-regulation skills; or 3) a control condition. Measurements of key outcome variables will be taken at baseline, six-weeks, three, six and twelve months. This research will provide the highest quality trial of PA promotion among recent retirees to date, in a web-based format that is scalable to population-level knowledge mobilization. Intervening at this critical life-stage can improve the physical and mental health outcomes of older adults, support healthy aging and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.