Increasing the Availability of Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults: Lessons Learned From Texercise Stakeholders
in Journal of Aging and Physical ActivityClick name to view affiliation
Many initiatives have been developed to facilitate older adults’ engagement in physical activity (PA) and document its benefits. One example is Texercise, a 12-week program with a focus on increasing participants’ self-efficacy. The goal of this paper is to augment the knowledgebase of PA program implementation and dissemination by elucidating the experience of Texercise implementation as perceived by multiple stakeholders. We conducted 28 semistructured stakeholder interviews and categorized the responses into four preset themes: (1) program delivery and advocacy; (2) value/merit of the program; (3) successes/challenges of offering and sustaining the program; and (4) recommendations for enhancing implementation and delivery. We identified emergent subthemes through further analysis. Many perceptions that are broadly applicable to community organizations emerged. Our findings highlight the importance of stakeholder support when embedding PA programs in communities. Furthermore, the findings are crucial to understanding underlying processes that support widespread program dissemination and sustainability.
Stevens is with Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX; and Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, TX. Thiel and Thorud are with Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX. Smith is with the University of Georgia, Athens, GA; and Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX. Howell, Cargill, Swierc, and Ory are with Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX.
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