Acceptability of a theory-based sedentary behaviour reduction intervention for older adults ('On Your Feet to Earn Your Seat')

Background: Adults aged 60 years and over spend most time sedentary and are the least physically active of all age groups. This early-phase study explored acceptability of a theory-based intervention to reduce sitting time and increase activity in older adults, as part of the intervention development process. Methods: An 8-week uncontrolled trial was run among two independent samples of UK adults aged 60–75 years. Sample 1, recruited from sheltered housing on the assumption that they were sedentary and insufficiently active, participated between December 2013 and March 2014. Sample 2, recruited through community and faith centres and a newsletter, on the basis of self-reported inactivity (<150 weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity) and sedentary behaviour (≥6 h mean daily sitting), participated between March and August 2014. Participants received a booklet offering 16 tips for displacing sitting with light-intensity activity and forming activity habits, and self-monitoring ‘tick-sheets’. At baseline, 4-week, and 8-week follow-ups, quantitative measures were taken of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and habit. At 8 weeks, tick-sheets were collected and a semi-structured interview conducted. Acceptability was assessed for each sample separately, through attrition and adherence to tips, ANOVAs for behaviour and habit changes, and, for both samples combined, thematic analysis of interviews. Results: In Sample 1, 12 of 16 intervention recipients completed the study (25 % attrition), mean adherence was 40 % (per-tip range: 15–61 %), and there were no clear patterns of changes in sedentary or physical activity behaviour or habit. In Sample 2, 23 of 27 intervention recipients completed (15 % attrition), and mean adherence was 58 % (per-tip range: 39–82 %). Sample 2 decreased mean sitting time and sitting habit, and increased walking, moderate activity, and activity habit. Qualitative data indicated that both samples viewed the intervention positively, found the tips easy to follow, and reported health and wellbeing gains. Conclusions: Low attrition, moderate adherence, and favourability in both samples, and positive changes in Sample 2, indicate the intervention was acceptable. Higher attrition, lower adherence, and no apparent behavioural impact among Sample 1 could perhaps be attributable to seasonal influences. The intervention has been refined to address emergent acceptability problems. An exploratory controlled trial is underway

Meta-analysis association results for hemoglobin in unconditional and conditional analyses in the <i>ABO</i> locus.

<p>Regional plots show (A) unconditional analysis and analysis conditional on (B) O, (C) AO, (D) AA, (E) B and (F) AB blood group haplotype. The most significant SNP in the unconditional analysis, rs507666, is highlighted throughout to facilitate comparison of results. The color coding of the LD between the SNPs ranges from dark blue for r² = 0–0.2 to red for r² = 0.8–1, and is grey where LD information was not available. Blue line represents suggestive and red line significant threshold.</p

Manhattan plots of meta-analysis association results in unconditional and conditional analyses for hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and red blood cell count (RCC).

<p>Results show unconditional analysis for all three traits (top row) and analysis of Hb conditional on (A) Hct and (B) RCC, of Hct conditional on (C) Hb and (D) RCC and of RCC conditional on (E) Hb and (F) Hct. Line at–log₁₀(<i>P</i> value) = 5.3 represents suggestive threshold and line at–log₁₀(<i>P</i> value) = 7.3 significant threshold.</p

One-way analysis of variance in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and red blood cell count (RCC) between different blood groups, as derived based on three SNP haplotypes.

<p>One-way analysis of variance in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and red blood cell count (RCC) between different blood groups, as derived based on three SNP haplotypes.</p

Comparison of the effect sizes on 15 <i>ABO</i> SNPs between eight different traits.

<p>Traits include von Willebrand factor (log transformed, logVWF) and factor VIII (FVIII) for coagulation factors, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) for lipids, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RCC) and hematocrit (Hct) for the red blood cell (RBC) traits and alkaline phosphatase (log transformed, logALP) for liver marker group. The colored bar for each SNP represents the 95% confidence interval of the effect size.</p

Study characteristics.

<p>Study characteristics.</p

Results of meta-analysis and replication analysis for 15 most significant SNPs in the <i>ABO</i> locus.

<p>Results of meta-analysis and replication analysis for 15 most significant SNPs in the <i>ABO</i> locus.</p

Blood groups derived based on three SNP haplotypes.

<p>Blood groups derived based on three SNP haplotypes.</p