The Use of Volunteer Leaders to Support Older Adults in Physically Active Leisure

Abstract

A number of government reports have advocated the importance of healthy ageing and the need to develop multiple strategies to increase the physical activity levels of older Australians. One approach recommended is to use social support strategies to increase exercise adherence as well as improving health related outcomes. This study recruited a number of volunteer leaders (who were known by the acronym 'PAM' that stood for 'Physical Activity Motivator'). These volunteer leaders assisted and supported participants aged 65 years and older to participate in a community-based physical leisure activity. This activity was chosen by the older participant from an inventory of existing physical activity programs in the community. This paper reports on the effectiveness of strategies used to recruit volunteer leaders to help provide social support for older participants. In addition, it explores the volunteer leaders’ perceptions of the training program and the contribution volunteer leaders made in helping to achieve long term exercise adherence for older participants.