Age Moderates the Effect of Self-Paced Exercise on Exercise Adherence among Overweight Adults

Harold H. Lee, Shira Dunsiger, Lauren Connell Bohlen, Holly K. Boyle, Jessica A. Emerson, David M. Williams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The present study tested the hypothesis that the effect of self-paced exercise on adherence to exercise programs is more pronounced with increasing age. Method: Fifty-nine low-active overweight adults (18-65 years) were encouraged to walk 30 to 60 min/day and randomized to either self-paced (n = 30) or prescribed moderate-intensity (n = 29) conditions. Results: The effect of study condition was moderated by age (main effect: b = 6.14, SE = 2.54, p =.02; Condition × Age: b = −11.55, SE = 3.77, p <.01), such that among participants >50 years, those in the self-paced condition exercised 6 more min/day than participants in the prescribed moderate-intensity condition (p =.02), whereas among participants <50 years, those in the self-paced condition exercised 5.4 fewer min/day compared with those in the moderate-intensity condition (p =.05). Affective response to physical activity did not mediate the moderating effect of age. Discussion: As age increases, adults may be more likely to adhere to self-paced versus prescribed moderate-intensity exercise.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)154-161
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Aging and Health
Volume32
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2020

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Health(social science)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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