The effects of a theory-informed intervention on physical activity behaviour, motivation and well-being of frontline aged care workers: A pilot study with 6-month follow-up.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Due to the nature of their jobs, frontline aged care workers may be a population at risk of poor health and lifestyle habits. Support of their well-being through the workplace is likely to be complex. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a need-supportive program for changing physical activity and psychological well-being via the motivational processes of behavioural regulations and perceived need satisfaction. METHODS: Frontline aged care workers (n = 25) participated in a single cohort, pre-post pilot trial. The program included a Motivational Interviewing style appointment, education on goal setting and self-management, the use of affect, exertion and self-pacing for regulating physical activity intensity and practical support activities. Outcomes (7-day accelerometery, 6-min walk, K10 and AQoL-8D), and motivational processes (BREQ-3 and PNSE) were measured at baseline, 3 and 9 months, and analysed using linear mixed models for repeated measures. RESULTS: There were significant increases in perceived autonomy at 3 months (Δ .43 ± SE: .20; p = .03) and 6-min walk distance at 9 months (Δ 29.11 m ± SE: 13.75; p = .04), which appeared to be driven by the relative autonomy index (behavioural regulations in exercise questionnaire [BREQ-3]). Amotivation increased at 3 months (Δ .23 ± SE:.12; p = .05); which may have been due to low scores at baseline. No other changes were demonstrated at any timepoint. SO WHAT?: Participants demonstrated positive changes in motivational processes and physical function, however, due to the low levels of participation in the program, the program had a negligible impact at the organisational level. Future researchers and aged care organisations should aim to address factors impacting participation in well-being initiatives.

Effect of an ongoing pharmacist service to reduce medicine-induced deterioration and adverse reactions in aged-care facilities (nursing homes): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial (the ReMInDAR trial).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led intervention using validated tools to reduce medicine-induced deterioration and adverse reactions. DESIGN AND SETTING: Multicenter, open-label parallel randomised controlled trial involving 39 Australian aged-care facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Residents on ≥4 medicines or ≥1 anticholinergic or sedative medicine. INTERVENTION: Pharmacist-led intervention using validated tools to detect signs and symptoms of medicine-induced deterioration which occurred every 8 weeks over 12 months. COMPARATOR: Usual care (Residential Medication Management Review) provided by accredited pharmacists. OUTCOMES: Primary outcome was change in Frailty Index at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in cognition, 24-hour movement behaviour by accelerometry, grip strength, weight, adverse events and quality of life. RESULTS: 248 persons (median age 87 years) completed the study; 120 in the interventionand, 128 in control arms. In total 575 pharmacist, sessions were undertaken in the intervention arm. There was no statistically significant difference for change in frailty between groups (mean difference: 0.009, 95% CI: -0.028, 0.009, P = 0.320). A significant difference for cognition was observed, with a mean difference of 1.36 point change at 12 months (95% CI: 0.01, 2.72, P = 0.048). Changes in 24-hour movement behaviour, grip strength, adverse events and quality of life were not significantly different between groups. Point estimates favoured the intervention arm at 12 months for frailty, 24-hour movement behaviour and grip strength. CONCLUSIONS: The use of validated tools by pharmacists to detect signs of medicine-induced deterioration is a model of practice that requires further research, with promising results from this trial, particularly with regards to improved cognition.

Prevalence and characteristics of advocacy curricula in Australian public health degrees.

BACKGROUND: Public health advocacy is a fundamental part of health promotion practice. Advocacy efforts can lead to healthier public policies and positive impacts on society. Public health educators are responsible for equipping graduates with cross-cutting advocacy competencies to address current and future public health challenges. PROBLEM: Knowledge of the extent to which students are taught public health advocacy is limited. To determine whether advocacy teaching within public health degrees matches industry needs, knowledge of pedagogical approaches to advocacy curricula is required. This study sought to understand the extent to which advocacy is taught and assessed within Australian public health degrees. METHODOLOGY: Australian public health Bachelor's and Master's degrees were identified using the CRICOS database. Open-source online unit guides were reviewed to determine where and how advocacy was included within core and elective units (in title, unit description or learning outcomes). Degree directors and convenors of identified units were surveyed to further garner information about advocacy in the curriculum. RESULTS: Of 65 identified degrees, 17 of 26 (65%) undergraduate degrees and 24 of 39 (62%) postgraduate degrees included advocacy within the core curriculum, while 6 of 26 (23%) undergraduate and 8 of 39 (21%) postgraduate offered no advocacy curriculum. IMPLICATIONS: Australian and international public health competency frameworks indicate advocacy curriculum should be included in all degrees. This research suggests advocacy competencies are not ubiquitous within Australian public health curricula. The findings support the need to advance public health advocacy teaching efforts further.

The physical, psychological, and social impacts of participation in the Invictus Pathways Program: A qualitative analysis of veterans' perceptions and experiences.

INTRODUCTION: UniSA's Invictus Pathways Program (IPP) is motivated by the spirit of the Invictus Games to mobilise the benefits of sport to aid physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Originally developed to assist veterans to train for and participate in the Invictus Games, the program has extended its scope to promote recovery and wellbeing for all veterans through physical activity. This paper describes the expectations and experiences of the IPP from the perspective of program participants. METHODS: Objective measures of physical and psychological wellbeing were collected by survey, to enable description of the participating veterans' wellbeing status. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants of the IPP who had not participated in an Invictus Games or Warrior Games. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data. Coding and themes were developed through a mixture of inductive and deductive approaches to analysis. Initial themes related to previous life experience, expectations of participation, and outcomes of participation were preconceived, but the analysis provided scope for an inductive approach to formulate additional themes. FINDINGS: Five of the participants had very high K10 scores, and scores above the norm for PCL-C, whilst one would be classified with an alcohol disorder. The qualitative analysis identified five higher order themes: Life experiences prior to participation in the IPP, Making a choice to participate in the IPP, Expectations of participation in the IPP, Impact of participation in the IPP, and Future Plans. There were perceptions that the IPP was beneficial for the participating veterans, irrespective of their physical and psychological health status. Participants described the positive impact of the IPP on their physical fitness, their social engagement, and their sense of belonging within the IPP and the university. Participants perceived the IPP to be an opportunity for them to 'give back' by contributing to the education of the students delivering the IPP. Participants reported the intention to continue being physically active. For some, this meant selection in an Invictus Games team, for others, this meant getting involved in community sporting organisations. CONCLUSION: The Invictus Pathways Program has been shown to have a positive impact on the physical and psychological wellbeing of the veterans who participated in its initial stages. As the program evolves, the longitudinal impact of participation, for veterans and their families, will be assessed.

Process evaluation of the Invictus Pathways Program.

INTRODUCTION: UniSA's Invictus Pathways Program (IPP), a service program, was originally developed to assist veterans to train for and participate in the Invictus Games. More recently, the scope of the IPP has widened to support and improve wellbeing and facilitate post traumatic growth and recovery among participants who are living with physical and mental health injuries and conditions. This paper describes the components of the IPP and reports its process evaluation. METHODS: Underpinned by a pragmatic approach, data related to participant and student involvement in the IPP, the number of participant training sessions, session attendance, program activities and events, and program fidelity were compiled from process documentation that had been collected between 2017 and 2020, inclusive. Following ethics approval, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants of the IPP, members of their family support network, and university staff to understand the operations of the IPP and satisfaction with the program. FINDINGS: There was high fidelity for the student-led exercise training aspects of IPP; however, data collection relevant to participants' psychological outcomes, and non-training IPP events and activities did not always occur as intended. Between 2017 and 2020, 53 veterans had participated in or were still participating in the IPP, and 63 allied health students had completed placements as student trainers. Fifty-three individual training sessions were delivered in 2017, increasing to 1,024 in 2020. Seventy-one interviews were completed with key IPP stakeholders. The qualitative analysis identified four higher order themes: Implementation and fidelity of the IPP, Satisfaction with the IPP, Areas of the IPP requiring improvement and suggestions for change, and Sustainability of the IPP. Satisfaction was generally high for the IPP, although there were factors that negatively impacted the experience for some participants and their family support network. Suggestions for improvement to program components and delivery aspects were made during the interviews, and the precariousness of IPP funding and sustainability was raised as an ongoing concern. CONCLUSION: This process evaluation has demonstrated that the physical activity training components of the IPP were delivered with high levels of fidelity, and that satisfaction with the IPP is mostly high, although there are areas that could be improved. There is a need for a more structured approach to the ongoing evaluation of the IPP. This includes ensuring that program staff have a shared understanding of the purpose of evaluation activities and that these activities occur as intended. Beyond this is the need to secure funding to support the sustainability of the IPP, so that it can continue to contribute to the wellbeing of veterans living with physical and mental health conditions, and their families.

Using wrist-worn accelerometers to identify the impact of medicines with anticholinergic or sedative properties on sedentary time: A 12-month prospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown that use of medicines with sedative or anticholinergic properties is associated with a decline in physical function; however, the effects have not been quantified, and it is not known how and which specific physical movements are affected. This prospective study quantified the impact of a change in sedative or anticholinergic load over time on 24-hour activity composition. METHODS: This study used data collected from a randomised trial assessing an ongoing pharmacist service in residential aged care. The 24-hour activity composition of sleep, sedentary behaviour, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate to vigorous physical activity was derived from 24-hour accelerometry bands. Mixed effect linear models were used to regress the multivariate outcome of 24-hour activity composition on medication load at baseline and at 12 months. A fixed effect interaction between trial stage and medication load was included to test for differing sedative or anticholinergic load effects at the two trial stages. RESULTS: Data for 183 and 85 participants were available at baseline and 12 months respectively. There was a statistically significant interaction between medication load and time point on the multivariate outcome of 24-hour activity composition (sedative F = 7.2, p < 0.001 and anticholinergic F = 3.2, p = 0.02). A sedative load increase from 2 to 4 over the 12-month period was associated with an average increase in daily sedentary behaviour by an estimated 24 min. CONCLUSION: As sedative or anticholinergic load increased, there was an increase in sedentary time. Our findings suggest wearable accelerometry bands are a possible tool for monitoring the effects on physical function of sedative and anticholinergic medicines. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The ReMInDAR trial was registered on the Australian and New Zealand Trials Registry ACTRN12618000766213.

A qualitative exploration of the physical and psychological wellbeing of family carers of veterans in Australia.

Family carers of veterans have a tendency not to seek support for their own wellbeing concerns. Understanding the barriers and enablers that family carers face in attending to their own wellbeing and in their caring role generally, is key to supporting family carers of veterans. This qualitative study sought to explore family carers' experiences and perceptions of their caring role, using semi-structured interviews. Questions were designed to capture concepts related to the barriers and enablers family carers face in attending to their own wellbeing. Twenty-two family carers participated in interviews. Thematic analysis facilitated the identification of key themes including the impact of the caring role; a perceived lack of recognition or appreciation of the caring role; expressed preferences for support; and consideration of the family unit. Findings suggest a need for accessible and multi-faceted support services for family carers of veterans, that target the drivers of physical and psychological wellbeing.

Caring for carers: Understanding the physical and psychological well-being of carers of veterans in Australia.

Carers of veterans tend to put their own physical and psychological well-being needs behind the needs of the person they are caring for and often do not seek assistance for their own physical and psychological well-being. Combined, these factors lead to increased risk of acute and chronic illness and mental health issues. It is acknowledged that physical activity independently contributes to improved physical and mental health and may be a driver for mental well-being in carers. The aim of this pilot research was to understand how movement behaviour and health behaviours of carers of veterans in Australia relate to carers' physical and psychological well-being. Assessment occurred between February and July 2019 and included objective, validated measures to examine physical and psychological well-being. To assess the association between physical and psychological factors, correlational analyses were performed. Twenty-eight carers participated in the pilot study (96% female, mean age 61.6 years). Exercise capacity varied, and 84% of carers met the recommended 150 min of physical activity per week, with carers spending 8.6% of their time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; and 37.9% of the day sedentary. Psychological health outcomes reflect a population with high distress levels and lower than average mental well-being, but with normal resilience scores. Carers with higher levels of resilience had greater exercise capacity, covering further distance in the 6-min walk test, and as resilience increased, number of sedentary bouts decreased. This research demonstrates that there is a relationship between health behaviours and psychological well-being in carers of veterans and serving personnel. Based on the findings of this pilot study, programmes to support family carers should include information about physical activity, reducing sedentary time, and increasing resilience. Interventions designed to improve physical and psychological well-being should be trialled and evaluated for effectiveness.

Evaluating changes in student health, wellbeing and social circumstances before and during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Australia.

The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt on a global scale, with associated physical distancing restrictions and economic downturn having flow-on effects for mental health and wellbeing across the community, and for university students in particular. First-year pharmaceutical and medical science students completing a common introductory population health course at an Australian university are routinely surveyed at the beginning of the semester as part of the course. Survey data inform teaching approaches based on understanding the 'real life' commitments and health profiles of students, and deidentified data form part of the teaching material. The 2020 student cohort was invited to complete a second follow-up survey during COVID-19 physical distancing restrictions. A total of n = 126 students completed both the initial and follow-up surveys (50.6% response rate), and n = 99 (39.8% of the total cohort) consented for their data to be included in research. There was a non-significant decrease in student employment; however, 22% of all students reported loss of work due to COVID-19. There was a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of students undertaking sufficient levels of physical activity, and a statistically significant increase in reported family stressors associated with loss of employment or an inability to gain employment between March and May 2020. Two-thirds of respondents reported increased stress as an impact of the transition to online learning. Implementation of holistic strategies, incorporating attention to additional factors influencing students' capacity to engage in study, and which may have long-term impacts across the life of the degree program, should be considered.

Efficacy of theory-informed workplace physical activity interventions: a systematic literature review with meta-analyses.

This review aimed to assess the efficacy of workplace physical activity interventions; compare the efficacy of those that were and were not informed by behaviour change theory, and outline the effectiveness of different intervention components. A search was undertaken in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Ovid Emcare (previously CINAHL) and SportDiscus. Randomised, non-randomised and cluster-controlled trials with objectively measured physical activity and/or measured or predicted maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) as outcomes were included in the review (83 papers from 79 trials). Random-effects meta-analyses of mean differences were undertaken. Workplace physical activity programmes demonstrated positive overall intervention effects for daily step counts (814.01 steps/day; CI: 446.36, 1181.67; p < 0.01; i2 = 88%) and measured VO2max (2.53 ml kg-1 min-1; CI: 1.69, 3.36; p < 0.01; i2 = 0%) with no sub-group differences between theory- and non-theory informed interventions. Significant sub-group differences were present for predicted VO2max (p < 0.01), with a positive intervention effect for non-theory informed studies (2.11 ml.kg-1 min-1; CI: 1.20, 3.02; p < 0.01; i2 = 78%) but not theory-informed studies (-0.63 ml kg-1 min-1; CI: -1.55, 0.30; p = 0.18; i2 = 0%). Longer-term follow-ups ranged from 24 weeks to 13 years, with significant positive effects for measured VO2max (2.84 ml kg-1 min-1; CI: 1.41, 4.27; p < 0.01; i2 = 0%). Effective intervention components included the combination of self-monitoring with a goal, and exercise sessions onsite or nearby. The findings of this review were limited by the number and quality of theory-informed studies presenting some outcomes, and confounding issues in complex interventions. Future researchers should consider rigorous testing of outcomes of theory-informed workplace physical activity interventions and incorporate longer follow-ups.

Some gain for a small investment: An economic evaluation of an exercise program for people living in residential aged care.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a 12-week Exercise Physiology (EP) program for people living in a residential aged care facility. METHODS: A within-study pre- and postintervention design to calculate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios per quality-adjusted life years gained. A health service provider perspective was used. RESULTS: Fifty-nine participants enrolled in a 12-week program. The program cost was A$514.30 per resident. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of A$64 000, the likelihood of being cost-effective of the program is approximately 60%, due to a small increase in participants' quality of life, as reported by care staff. The model showed great variance, depending on who rated the participants' quality of life outcomes. CONCLUSION: It is uncertain that a 12-week EP program is cost-effective based on the evidence of the current trial. However, it appears that a low-cost program can produce small improvements for residents in care facilities.

Feasibility and Process Evaluation of a Need-Supportive Physical Activity Program in Aged Care Workers: The Activity for Well-Being Project.

The need to undertake pilot testing and evaluation of novel health promotion programs has become increasingly apparent for the purpose of understanding the true effects of complex interventions and for testing and refining behavioral theories that these interventions are informed by. A mixed-methods process evaluation and feasibility study was undertaken for a need-supportive physical activity program that was piloted in a single-group pre-post study. The piloted program was designed to support participant needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness through evidence-based and theory-informed behavior change strategies including a motivational interviewing style appointment, education on self-management tools (i.e., pedometers, goal setting, action and coping planning, a customized website for goal setting and self-monitoring), and self-determined methods of regulating physical activity intensity [affect, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and self-pacing]. The program aimed to positively impact physical activity behavior, psychological well-being, and associated motivational processes. Reach, adoption, fidelity, context, change and performance objectives, and feasibility of the program were evaluated using information from survey respondents from the target population (n = 118) and implementing staff (n = 6); questionnaires from pilot study participants (n = 21); and individual semi-structured interviews with a combination of pilot study participants, non-participants, and implementing staff (n = 19). Process evaluation of the Activity for Well-Being program found that the reach of the program was moderate but adoption was low. The use of self-management tools and self-determined methods of regulating physical activity intensity appeared to be feasible. The website had mixed responses and low engagement. The element of having a support person elicited a strong positive response in the program participant interviews. Involving local implementing staff more directly into the delivery of the intervention could have potentially improved reach, adoption, and feasibility of the program.

Exercise physiology in aged care: Perceptions and acceptability from the perspectives of family members and care staff in the residential aged care environment.

As we age, maintaining physical functionality is important with respect to wellbeing and healthy ageing. For older adults with dementia this may be difficult, particularly in the residential aged care environment. This article reports the qualitative examination of an Exercise Physiologist-delivered exercise programme for residents with dementia. Perspectives related to the perceived impact and acceptability of the programme, as well as barriers to implementation, and delivery of exercise to residents, were sought from family members and care staff through semi-structured interviews. Benefits related to physical and social factors were identified, and perceptions related to who might benefit from exercise were changed as a result of observing residents participate in the programme. These findings support the notion that an Exercise Physiologist-delivered exercise programme, with a person-centred approach, can contribute to improved functionality for residents with dementia.

Evaluation of an implementation project: The exercise physiology in aged care program.

AIM: It is important for older adults to maintain the ability to be physically active, and to experience the benefits that physical activity brings. This study evaluates a 12-week Accredited Exercise Physiologist-led exercise program for vulnerable older adults living with dementia, delivered in a residential aged care facility in South Australia. The value of the program was also evaluated from the perspective of partners-in-care (family members and care staff). METHODS: Participants (n = 59) were randomized to either an intervention or control group, based on their functional and cognitive status. Physical function, cognitive function and habitual physical activity were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. In total, 51 family members and 44 care staff completed surveys or participated to understand their perspectives of residents' capacity to exercise, as well as their perceptions of the impact of the program. RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA identified evidence for maintenance of physical function (timed-up-and-go [ɳ2 = 0.19], handgrip strength [ɳ2 = 0.13]); however, there were no differences for objectively measured habitual activity or cognitive function. Evidence for a dose effect was demonstrated for the 2-min walk and timed-up-and-go associated with the number of individual sessions attended by a participant. Partners-in-care perceived greater improvement compared with deterioration across all measured factors [(P < 0.01, partial eta2 (ɳ2 ) =0.19] ranged from 0.35 to 0.78) post-intervention. Perceptions and expectations of who could benefit from participation were changed (P < 0.05) and indicated that all but the most severely declined residents would be likely to benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Data supporting the maintenance for some physical functions suggest that this type of program should be considered for older adults living with dementia in residential aged care facilities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; ••: ••-••.

Challenges associated with physical assessments for people living with dementia: Modifying standard assessment protocols.

OBJECTIVES: Regular physical activity for older adults as they age is important for maintaining not only physical function but also independence and self-worth. To be able to monitor changes in physical function, appropriate validated measures are required. Reliability of measures such as the timed-up-and-go, five-repetition sit-to-stand, handgrip strength, two-minute walk, 30-second sit-to-stand, and four-metre walk has been demonstrated; however, the appropriateness of such measures in a population of adults living with dementia, who may be unable to follow instructions or have diminished physical capacity, is not as well quantified. This study sought to test modified standard protocols for these measures. METHODS: Modification to the standard protocols of the timed-up-and-go, five-repetition sit-to-stand, handgrip strength, two-minute walk, 30-second sit-to-stand, and four-metre walk was trialled. This occurred through modification of procedural components of the assessment, such as encouraging participants to use their hands to raise themselves from a seated position, or the incorporation of staged verbal cueing, demonstration, or physical guidance where required. The test-retest reliability of the modified protocols was assessed using Pearson's correlation, and performance variances were assessed using the %coefficient of variation. Intraclass correlations were included for comparisons to previous research and to examine measurement consistency within three trials. RESULTS: At least 64% of the population were able to complete all measures. Good test-retest reliability was indicated for the modified measures (timed-up-and-go = 0.87; five-repetition sit-to-stand = 0.75; handgrip strength = 0.94; two-minute walk = 0.87; the 30-second sit-to-stand = 0.93; and the four-metre walk = 0.83), and the %coefficient of variation (7.2%-14.8%) and intraclass correlation (0.77-0.98) were acceptable to good. CONCLUSION: This article describes the methodology of the modified assessments, presents the test-retest statistics, and reports how modification of the current protocols for common measures of physical function enabled more older adults living with dementia in a residential aged care facility to participate in assessments, with high reliability demonstrated for the measures.

Physical Activity Intensity Cut-Points for Wrist-Worn GENEActiv in Older Adults.

Purpose: This study aims to (1) establish GENEActiv intensity cutpoints in older adults and (2) compare the classification accuracy between dominant (D) or non-dominant (ND) wrist, using both laboratory and free-living data. Methods: Thirty-one older adults participated in the study. They wore a GENEActiv Original on each wrist and performed nine activities of daily living. A portable gas analyzer was used to measure energy expenditure for each task. Testing was performed on two occasions separated by at least 8 days. Some of the same participants (n = 13) also wore one device on each wrist during 3 days of free-living. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to establish the optimal cutpoints. Results: For sedentary time, both dominant and non-dominant wrist had excellent classification accuracy (sensitivity 0.99 and 0.97, respectively; specificity 0.91 and 0.86, respectively). For Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA), the non-dominant wrist device had better accuracy (ND sensitivity: 0.90, specificity 0.79; D sensitivity: 0.90, specificity 0.64). The corresponding cutpoints for sedentary-to-light were 255 and 375 g · min (epoch independent: 42.5 and 62.5 mg), and those for the light-to-moderate were 588 and 555 g · min (epoch-independent: 98.0 and 92.5 mg) for the non-dominant and dominant wrist, respectively. For free-living data, the dominant wrist device resulted in significantly more sedentary time and significantly less light and MVPA time compared to the non-dominant wrist.

A cross-sectional assessment of the relationship between sedative medication and anticholinergic medication use and the movement behaviour of older adults living in residential aged care.

OBJECTIVES: Medications with anticholinergic or sedative effects are frequently used by older people but can increase risk of falls and adverse events; however, less is known about their effect on movement behaviour. Here we examine the cross-sectional association between medication use and movement behaviour in older adults living in residential aged care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight older adults living in residential aged care in metropolitan Australia participated. Medication data were collected from participants' medical charts and sedative load and anticholinergic burden were determined. Seven-day movement behaviour was objectively assessed by a wrist-worn triaxial accelerometer. Raw accelerations were converted to sleep, sedentary time, and time in light, moderate, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. To explore the relationship between medication and movement behaviour, Spearman's Rho correlations were conducted, as the data were not normally distributed. RESULTS: Analyses indicated that while anticholinergic burden was not associated with movement behaviour, sedative load was negatively correlated with a number of variables, accounting for 14% variance in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and 17% in the bout length of MVPA (p < .02). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed a negative association between sedative load, due to medicines, and an individual's movement behaviour. The impact of this could be a reduction in the ability of this population to maintain or improve their functional mobility, which may overshadow any benefits of the medicine in some circumstances.

Development of a Self-Determination Theory-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Aged Care Workers: Protocol for the Activity for Well-being Program.

Despite the well-established benefits of regular participation in physical activity, many Australians still fail to maintain sufficient levels. More self-determined types of motivation and more positive affect during activity have been found to be associated with the maintenance of physical activity behaviour over time. Need-supportive approaches to physical activity behaviour change have previously been shown to improve quality of motivation and psychological well-being. This paper outlines the development of a need-supportive, person-centred physical activity program for frontline aged-care workers. The program emphasises the use of self-determined methods of regulating activity intensity (affect, rating of perceived exertion and self-pacing) and is aimed at increasing physical activity behaviour and psychological well-being. The development process was undertaken in six steps using guidance from the Intervention Mapping framework: (i) an in-depth needs assessment (including qualitative interviews where information was gathered from members of the target population); (ii) formation of change objectives; (iii) selecting theory-informed and evidence-based intervention methods and planning their practical application; (iv) producing program components and materials; (v) planning program adoption and implementation, and (vi) planning for evaluation. The program is based in Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and provides tools and elements to support autonomy (the use of a collaboratively developed activity plan and participant choice in activity types), competence (action/coping planning, goal-setting and pedometers), and relatedness (the use of a motivational interviewing-inspired appointment and ongoing support in activity).