Brief Report: Active Ingredients for Adherence to a Tracker-Based Physical Activity Intervention in Older Adults

Abstract

Objectives: To identify factors associated with weekly adherence to a 12-week tracker-based activity intervention in older adults. Method: Using generalized linear mixed models in a secondary analysis (N = 35), we examined factors associated with weekly adherence (defined as wore the Jawbone Up24 tracker for ≥5 days and completed weekly calls). Factors examined included individual characteristics, gave and received virtual support, achieved step goals, barrier and task self-efficacy, and self-comment. Results: Participants’ (M_age = 61.7, SD_age = 5.7) adherence changed from 86% (Week 1) to 74% (Week 12). Achieved the previous week’s goal (β = 1.13, p = .01) and received virtual support (β = 0.01, p = .02) significantly increased the odds of weekly adherence. Discussion: Achieved step goals and received virtual support were associated with improved adherence to our tracker-based activity intervention, which has promising potential to be translated into the clinical setting to promote active lifestyles.