Physical Activity and Social Participation in Older Adults in a Cross-Over Intervention Trial

Abstract: Objective: Using the biopsychosocial model, this study evaluated an intervention targeting physical activity and the extent of social participation among older adults. A longitudinal intervention study with participants randomized to print-based or IT-based interventions was conducted ( N = 251, M age = 68.42, SD = 5.35). Effects were assessed with mixed model analyses and serial mediation analyses. Results: Time had a significant effect [ F(2,358) = 11.7, p < .001], with an increase in social participation. Poor self-reported physical performance was related to a poorer social participation over time, but being physically active buffered this negative effect (total indirect effect: B = −0.02). Furthermore, highly engaged individuals with poor self-reported physical performance were likely to fall back into a previous stage of change regarding physical activity ( B three-way interaction = 0.28, SE = 0.12, p = .017). Discussion: Individual preconditions should be considered when developing physical activity interventions to improve social participation.