Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Kathryn J Burks

Publications and source records attributed to Kathryn J Burks.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Integrative review of physical activity intervention research with aging adults.

This paper reviews randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) that have attempted to increase physical activity behavior by aging adults. A systematic review was necessary because numerous studies target older adults, and previous reviews have addressed a limited range of primary studies. Computerized database, ancestry, and extensive search strategies by authors of research reported in English between 1960 and 2000 located diverse intervention trials. RCTs reporting endurance physical activity or exercise behavioral outcomes for at least five subjects were included. Integrative review methods were used to summarize extant research. Forty-two studies were retrieved. Seventeen RCTs with 6,391 subjects were reviewed. A wide variety of intervention strategies were reported. The most common interventions were self-monitoring, general health education, goal setting, supervised center-based exercise, problem solving, feedback, reinforcement, and relapse prevention education. Few studies individually adapted motivational interventions, used mediated intervention delivery, or integrated multiple theoretical frameworks into the intervention. Links between individual intervention components and effectiveness were not clear. Common methodological weaknesses included small samples, untested outcome measures, and time-limited longitudinal designs. Significant numbers of aging adults increased their physical activity in response to experimental interventions. The amount of increased activity rarely equaled accepted behavior standards to achieve positive health outcomes. Further work is essential to identify successful strategies to increase activity by larger numbers of elders and to accelerate the increase in activity by those who change activity behaviors. Sex and ethnic differences need further investigation. There is a vital need for rigorously designed studies to contribute to this science.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Sedentary older women's limited experience with exercise.

The aim of this study was to examine sedentary older women's experiences with exercise. Interview-administered questionnaires and physical measures assessed exercise history variables, health-related quality of life, functional status, depression, perceived vigor, adiposity, and body mass index. Women aged 65 to 97 years (N = 198) participated in the study. Most women reported at least 1 experience with episodic exercise but only 27% had experience with 2 forms of exercise and just 7% had experience with 3 exercise types. Many women began regular continuous exercise during their 5th, 6th, or 7th decades, but stopped exercising after a few years. Correlations between past exercise and potential health outcomes were very modest. These sedentary elderly women had very limited repertoires of experience with episodic exercise. Interventions designed to help women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s maintain the exercise programs may prove particularly valuable.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Are there different predictors of distinct exercise components?

Rehabilitation nurses often recommend to aging adults that they exercise. Despite the recommendations and the widespread evidence of its benefits, few older adults exercise. This study examined the predictors of distinct components of exercise behavior: exercise intensity, frequency per week, duration of sessions, and months per year. Social cognitive theory predictors of exercise were measured with previously developed instruments. Interviews were conducted with community-dwelling elders (N = 147). The study constructs accounted for modest to moderate amounts of variance (41% of months per year, 35% of frequency, 35% of exercise intensity, and 20% of episode duration). Self-efficacy was the most important predictor of each construct, with Beta weights ranging from .23 to .53. Barriers significantly predicted months' per year, frequency per week, and exercise intensity, but not the duration of individual exercise sessions. Outcome expectancy predicted only exercise intensity. These findings support the importance of self-efficacy and perceived barriers for most components of exercise behavior.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Older women and exercise: explanatory concepts.

BACKGROUND: Older women remain predominantly sedentary despite potential health benefits and reduced risks of cardiovascular disease associated with regular exercise. Primary care interventions to increase exercise need to focus on constructs amenable to intervention that predict exercise behavior. PURPOSE: The study tested an explanatory model of older women's exercise behavior using concepts from social cognitive theory, the transtheoretical model, and the theory of planned behavior (self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, perceived exercise barriers, processes of change, perceived health, and age). METHODS: Data were collected by interviews with 203 older community-dwelling women physically capable of some exercise. Ordinary least squares regression results were used to determine the direct and indirect effects in a path model. FINDINGS: All concepts and 13 hypothesized paths were retained in the trimmed model. The constructs accounted for 46% of the variance in exercise behavior. Outcome expectancy had the largest total effect. Processes of change had the largest direct effect on exercise behavior. Exercise self-efficacy and perceived exercise barriers accounted for similar amounts of variance in exercise behavior, whereas age and health had only modest effects. CONCLUSION: Important constructs for future exercise model testing and intervention research should include outcome expectancy, processes of change, exercise self-efficacy, and perceived barriers to exercise. Primary care interventions designed to increase older women's exercise should focus on these same constructs.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Randomized trial of 2 interventions to increase older women's exercise.

OBJECTIVE: To test 2 interventions to increase older women's physical activity. METHODS: A randomized 2-way factorial experimental design compared the effects of 2 limited-contact interventions, motivational sessions and periodic prompts, among 190 women. Experimental participants received a 3-encounter motivational intervention. Those randomized to prompts received weekly telephone or mail-delivered cues. RESULTS: The prompting intervention consistently increased exercise and physical activity scores. The motivational intervention did not affect outcome scores. CONCLUSIONS: Prompting is a low-cost strategy for increasing exercise and physical activity among older women. Future research should examine alternative modes for prompt delivery.

Aged↗