Author:

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Public, Environmental & Occupational Health, walking groups, older adults, peer leaders, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, Public Health, 4202 Epidemiology, 4203 Health services and systems, 4206 Public health

Abstract:

Background With a rapidly ageing society, healthy ageing has become a key challenge for older adults. Engagement in physical activity, and particularly walking, is a key strategy that contributes to healthy ageing. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a group walking program for older adults that incorporates the 5R Shared Leadership Program (5RS), compared to a regular group walking program. By implementing a structure of shared leadership and strengthening peer leaders' identity leadership, 5RS has in other contexts been associated with greater performance and well-being. Methods Our cluster randomised controlled trial included 19 older adult walking groups (i.e., the clusters; N = 503; Mage = 69.23 years, SD = 6.68), which all participated in a 12-week structured group walking program. Nine of these walking groups (n = 304) were randomly assigned to the intervention condition and received additionally the 5RS program. Results Results revealed that 5RS was successful in strengthening the identity leadership qualities of the appointed peer leaders. Moreover, multilevel regressions showed that 5RS succeeded in increasing group cohesion and walking activity to a greater extent than a regular group walking program, while participants' group identification and well-being increased to a similar extent in both conditions. Furthermore, structural equation modelling revealed that group identification mediated the impact of peer leaders' identity leadership on group cohesion and well-being (but not walking activity). Conclusion We can conclude that by harnessing the capacity of the group and its peer leaders, 5RS constitutes a promising intervention to engage older adults in physical activity. Keywords: walking groups, older adults, peer leaders