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Although physical activity interventions have been shown to effectively modify behavior, little research has examined the potential of these interventions for adoption in real-world settings. The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate the external validity of 57 theory-based physical activity interventions using the RE-AIM framework. The physical activity interventions included were more likely to report on issues of internal, rather than external validity and on individual, rather than organizational components of the RE-AIM framework, making the translation of many interventions into practice difficult. Furthermore, most studies included motivated, healthy participants, thus reducing the generalizability of the interventions to real-world settings that provide services to more diverse populations. To determine if a given intervention is feasible and effective in translational research, more information should be reported about the factors that affect external validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study's purpose was to identify the mediating role of intention and the stages of change (SOC) in physical activity (PA) over a 6-month period using two models (theory of planned behavior [TPB] and TPB/SOC). Participants were 143 adults with physical disabilities (70.68% response rate; M age = 46.03). The TPB constructs, SOC (time 1), and PA (time 2) were assessed using standardized self-report questionnaires. Based on path analyses, attitude had the highest effect on intention and SOC followed by perceived behavioral control within both well-fit models. The variance in PA explained by the first (TPB) and second (TPB/SOC) models was 16% and 28% respectively. In the just identified model of TPB/SOC, the direct effect of SOC on physical activity remained strong (gamma(soc.pa) = .45) and SOC approached full mediation through attitude. Health promotion interventions need to include both intention and behavior elements (SOC) reinforcing increased PA value and barrier elimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Falls are serious problems for older adults and they usually result from an interaction of multiple risk factors (AGS, 2001). Unfortunately, older adults who have fallen or who fear falling may restrict activity, thus causing a dangerous cycle of functional decline, future falls, and fear of falling (Friedman et al., 2002). The purpose of this study was to begin to establish the construct validity of a comprehensive falls risk screening instrument by examining the association between falls efficacy (i.e., a measure of fear of falling) and falls risk. Participants were 130 independentliving older adults (M age = 72.5 years, SD = 10.5) who were evaluated using a comprehensive falls risk screening instrument developed according to the AGS risk factors (2001). The screening instrument measures falls risk in five domains, including history of falls, medication management, vision, physical functioning (i.e., mobility and balance), and home environment. These domains are averaged to produce a total falls risk score. The falls risk domains and total score are based on a 0-100 point scale with 100 representing high risk for falls. The participants also responded to the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES; Tinetti et al., 1990). The FES assesses the perceived efficacy for avoiding a fall during 10 activities of daily living. The FES score is the sum of scores on each of the 10 activities with a range of possible values between 10 and 100 and a higher score reflecting lower efficacy. Multiple regressions adjusting for gender, race, marital status, and education were conducted to analyze the relationships between the total FES score, the five falls risk scores, and the total falls risk score. As hypothesized, the total FES score was positively related to the physical functioning (b = .734, p < .01) and total falls risk (b = .297, p < .05) scores. The results provide preliminary evidence of the construct validity of a comprehensive falls risk screening instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity is associated with longer life expectancy, increased quality of life, and the number of years of healthy life; however, only 15% of American adults achieve the recommended amount of physical activity, with minorities, older adults, and people with low-income levels being most inactive (USDHHS, 2000). Based on the theory of planned behavior, a person's beliefs about physical activity may help explain their participation. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the number of behavioral beliefs (i.e., advantages and disadvantages), normative beliefs (i.e., people who approve or disapprove), and control beliefs (i.e., barriers and facilitators) for physical activity following a 16-week home-based physical activity program in a group of culturally diverse older adults. Participants were 48 adults age 50 to 93 years (71% Black, 56% < high school education, 65% < $20,000 annually) who were randomly assigned to receive standard education (n = 24) or culturally sensitive education (n = 24) materials about the principles of physical activity. The program began with a home visit that included the education component and a physical activity demonstration followed by 16 weeks of home-based physical activity. Physical activity beliefs were elicited using six open-ended questions before and after participating in the program and individual beliefs were determined by frequency counts. Repeated measures with Bonferroni correction revealed no significant changes from pre- to postprogram in beliefs across groups for advantages of physical activity (p = .33), disadvantages of physical activity (p = .91), people who approve of physical activity (p = .56), people who disapprove of physical activity (p = .76), barriers to physical activity (p = .05), or enabling factors of physical activity (p = 1.0). Results indicate that participation in a 16-week home-based physical activity program did not change the physical activity beliefs of culturally diverse older adults; however, lack of statistical power is a limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although physical activity interventions have been shown to effectively modify behavior, little research has examined the potential of these interventions for adoption in real-world settings. The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate the external validity of 57 theory-based physical activity interventions using the RE-AIM framework. The physical activity interventions included were more likely to report on issues of internal, rather than external validity and on individual, rather than organizational components of the RE-AIM framework, making the translation of many interventions into practice difficult. Furthermore, most studies included motivated, healthy participants, thus reducing the generalizability of the interventions to real-world settings that provide services to more diverse populations. To determine if a given intervention is feasible and effective in translational research, more information should be reported about the factors that affect external validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]