The Experience of Older Adults in a Walking Program at Individual, Interpersonal, and Environmental Levels

Abstract

Walking programs are advocated to mobilize sedentary older adults. Thus, the study of age-specific social ecological walking programs are needed in order to develop interventions that offer best chance for success. The purpose of this study was to analyze the experience of participating in a walking program at individual, interpersonal, and environmental levels in order to identify appropriate strategies for walking interventions to older adults. A 10-month walking program was implemented, three times a week with 19 older adults (mean age = 67,42 ± 2,48). The participants were submitted to a pre and post evaluation of functional fitness, physical activity patterns, and perceptions of their neighborhood environment. After the program, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 randomly selected participants. The results highlight the potential of this walking program by enhancing physical and mental health, creating supportive social networks, and a context of walking in nature which was crucial for the promotion of the active lifestyle and functional improvement of older adults participants.