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DOI

  • Jeanette Thom
    University of New South Wales
  • Sharon Nelis
    University of Exeter
  • Jennifer Cooney
  • John Hindle
    Llandudno Hospital, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
  • Ian Rees Jones
    Cardiff University
  • Linda Clare
    University of Exeter
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine if behavior change through individual goal setting (GS) could promote healthy aging, including health and fitness benefits in older adults who attended a community “AgeWell” Center for 12 months. Seventy-five older adults were randomly allocated to either a control or a GS group. Health outcomes were measured at baseline and after 12 months of the participants’ having access to the exception of Agewell Center facilities. The findings demonstrate that participation in the Center in itself was beneficial, with improved body composition and reduced cardiovascular risk in both groups (p < .05), and that this kind of community-based resource offers valuable potential for promoting protective behaviors and reducing health risk. However, a specific focus on identifying individual behavior change goals was required in order to achieve increased activity engagement (p < .05) and to bring about more substantial improvements in a range of health, diet, and physical function measures (p < .05).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)80-88
JournalJournal of Aging and Physical Activity
Volume29
Issue number1
Early online dateAug 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2021
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