Programme/activity name Intergenerational Exercise Buddy Program

Lead organisation

Texas State University

Country United States

Period Sept 2018 – Apr 2019

Objective Structuring social support opportunities

Programme, activities, events The study participants attended 8 weekly classes of their choice between Chair Yoga and Easy Tai Chi. They are taught with modifications for accommodating different abilities. With the support of a community advisory board, the Intergenerational Exercise Program was implemented and embedded in the aforementioned Easy Tai Chi and Chair Yoga classes. The community advisory board consisted of the community centre’s Executive Director (third author), the instructor of Chair Yoga (fourth author), the instructor of Tai Chi (fifth author), and three older adult study participants.

Stakeholders and roles Community centre (Price Center)

Barriers Getting to class; Needing structured interactions outside of class

Outcomes

Self-perceived health, sense of social support, intention to continue, retention.

Having a buddy; Connecting with people; Developing a sense of community; Improvement in health and well-being.

Principles for behaviour change

Age integration theory* (When there are no longer rigid age norms to say what people can do at certain ages, people of different ages engage in the same activities)

Source https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2021.1923132

Programme/activity name

Lead organisation

Intergenerational Tai Chi program

University of Washington

Country United States

Period 2010

Objective

The tai chi program focused on increasing confidence, social support and social interaction among the participants.

Programme, activities, events The researchers developed the structure of the tai chi class, determining that a weekly, 60-minute class held for eight weeks at the community gym was workable taking into account the available resources for the program. Organisers enlisted a tai chi instructor experienced in working with both older adults and youth to teach the class although she had not previously taught an intergenerational class.

Stakeholders and roles

University of Washington; non-profit community organisation; youth 8-14, seniors 60-85.

Barriers N/A

Outcomes

Principles for behaviour change

Tips & tricks

7DPAR, PACES, social engagement, physical activity

Social cognitive theory

In order to encourage the development of confidence, the tai chi instructor created an atmosphere that focused on skill building and provided informational messages and positive reinforcement (Bandura, 1997). These methods afford the youth and older adults the opportunity to learn and practice skills and to acquire a sense of mastery and competence in the skills. Emphasis is placed on skill building and fun in order to enhance enjoyment and confidence (Bandura, 1997). In order to encourage social support and interaction, the tai chi instructor paired the older adults and youth for interactive exercises or poses. A high school intern who assisted the instructor in the class provided positive reinforcement, encouraged ongoing participation in the classes, and promoted interaction and support between the two generations. These strategies were reviewed with the tai chi instructor and high school intern prior to the start of the classes.

Other information

Source

Community based participatory research https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2011.544215

Programme/activity name

Lead organisation

Dance for Health

University of Pennsylvania

Country United States

Period 2012 – 2016

Objective

Dance for Health was created to specifically address social determinants of health by utilising an upstream approach and engaging with families to understand barriers to, priorities for, and interest in physical activity.

Programme, activities, events The program entailed two-hour line dancing sessions delivered by trained dance instructors in the neighbourhood recreation centre. The weekly sessions were delivered for one month in the spring and one month in the fall from 2012–2016. Nurse practitioner students mentored local high school students to assess outcomes: achievement of target heart rate, Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion, number of pedometer steps during dance session, Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, and adiposity. Analytic methods included descriptive statistics and mixed effects models.

Stakeholders and roles The programme resulted from collaboration among an academic institution, the School District of Philadelphia, and a local school-based health centre.

Barriers

Outcomes

Principles for behaviour change

N/A

Adiposity, Heart rate, Perceived exertion, PACES (highly enjoyable).

CBPR (community based participatory research) approach

Tips & tricks Using a CBPR approach, a convenience sample of participants was recruited in partnership with community members through flyers at local schools and throughout the neighbourhood, joint presentations and demonstrations at parent events, announcements at community meetings, radio announcements, and notices in the local newspaper.

Other information

Source

N/A http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2017.07.004

Programme/activity name

Lead organisation

Living (well through) Intergenerational Fitness and Exercise (LIFE) program

Iowa State University

Country United States

Period

Objective

2012

The long-term goal of the LIFE Program is to increase and sustain physical activity participation in rural-residing older adults.

Programme, activities, events The LIFE Program is a 24-week physical activity program for rural-residing older adults ages 60+. The 24-week program consists of an 8-week onsite, trainerled, physical activity program and a 16-week newsletter intervention. The 8-week physical activity program utilises exergaming technology (i.e., XBOX Kinect Sports™). The LIFE Program used the Microsoft Kinect™ exergaming unit and Kinect Sports™ game. The Kinect™ system detects the participant’s motion through a sensor that uses the detected motion to complete the task on screen. This was chosen because it is hands-free and more user-friendly than the previously tested Wii©. The sports included activities such as soccer, volleyball, bowling, track and field, boxing and table tennis.

Stakeholders and roles

Barriers

Outcomes

Principles for behaviour change

Tips & tricks

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; Younger adults (ages 14-28 years) were recruited to serve as trainers; Onsite leaders

N/A

Physical activity, self-efficacy

Whole Person Wellness Model (WPWM), Transtheoretical model

The key to successful implementation is community partnerships. Providing a physical activity program for rural-residing older adults provides the opportunity for physical activity and socialisation where there otherwise are little opportunities for them. Group physical activity has the potential to increase physical activity participation and self-efficacy. Programs like the LIFE Program can help reduce the health care costs, incidence of chronic disease and disability and increase independence.

Other information

Source http://www.extension.iastate.edu/life/ (not available anymore) https://doi.org/10.31274/etd-180810-3976

Detailed program description available in document