Comparing preferences to evaluations of barrier self-efficacy for two strength training programs in US older adults

Background/Objectives: Engagement in regular physical activity is one of the best strategies for older adults to remain healthy. Unfortunately, only 35% of older adults meet guidelines for muscle strengthening activities. Eliciting participant preferences is one possible way to improve physical activity engagement. However, other sources of participant input to improve uptake and maintenance remain uninvestigated. This study compared preferences to self-efficacy ratings for two strength training programs. Methods: We conducted a national cross-sectional survey of 611 US adults over age 65. We compared two participant evaluations (the preferred program and the program for which they had higher barrier self-efficacy) of two hypothetical strength training programs (45 minutes performed three times per week (traditional) and 5 minutes performed daily (brief)). Results: Most participants (68%) preferred the brief strength training program. The difference in self-efficacy ratings was an average of 1.2 (SD = 0.92). One in five participants preferred a strength training program for which they had less self-efficacy; nearly all of these participants (92%) preferred the traditional strength training program but had more self-efficacy for the brief strength training program. Conclusion: Older adults reported preferring and having more self-efficacy for a brief compared to a traditional strength training program. Differences in self-efficacy ratings between the two strength training programs were large. Preferences were often not congruent with ratings of self-efficacy. Significance/Implications: Preferences for strength training programming may not always reflect the program most likely to be maintained. Future investigations should evaluate differences in behavioral uptake, maintenance, and outcomes from two comparative strength training interventions using preferences and self-efficacy.背景与研究目的：规律参与身体活动是老年群体维持健康的最佳策略之一。遗憾的是，仅有35%的老年人符合肌肉强化活动的指南推荐标准。挖掘参与者的偏好是提升身体活动参与度的可行途径之一，但其他可用于优化活动参与与维持的参与者反馈渠道仍未得到研究。本研究针对两类力量训练项目，对比了参与者的偏好与自我效能感评分。 研究方法：我们针对美国611名65岁及以上成年人开展了全国性横断面调查。我们对两类假设性力量训练项目的两项参与者评估结果进行了对比：分别为参与者偏好的项目，以及其障碍自我效能感（barrier self-efficacy）更高的项目；两类假设项目具体为：每周进行3次、每次45分钟的传统方案，以及每日进行5分钟的短时长方案。 研究结果：多数参与者（68%）偏好短时长力量训练方案。两类项目的自我效能感评分差值平均为1.2（标准差SD=0.92）。五分之一的参与者所偏好的项目，其自身对应的自我效能感更低；在这类参与者中，近92%的人偏好传统力量训练方案，但他们对短时长力量训练方案的自我效能感更高。 研究结论：相较于传统力量训练方案，老年人群不仅更偏好短时长方案，且对该方案的自我效能感更高。两类力量训练方案的自我效能感评分差异显著。参与者的项目偏好往往与自我效能感评分并不一致。 研究意义与启示：老年人对力量训练方案的偏好未必总能反映出其最有可能坚持完成的项目。未来研究应针对两类对比性力量训练干预方案，评估基于参与者偏好与自我效能感的行为参与率、方案维持率及最终干预结局的差异。