Metrics details. Regular physical activity PA is a key contributor to healthy ageing. However, despite known health benefits, only one third of older adults in Germany reach the PA levels recommended for persons aged 65 years and above by the World Health Organization.
The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two web-based interventions for the initiation and maintenance of regular PA i. Study participants will be randomly assigned to one of three study arms in five communities in the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan region: a Participants in the first arm will receive access to a web-based intervention for 10 weeks allowing them to track their weekly PA subjective self-monitoring, intervention group 1 ; b participants in the second arm will receive access to the web-based intervention for 10 weeks and, in addition, track PA using Fitbit Zips objective self-monitoring, intervention group 2 ; c participants in the delayed intervention control group will receive access to the intervention implemented in the first study arm after completion of the week follow-up in the other two groups within each community.
In addition, weekly group meetings in the communities will be offered to study participants in the intervention groups providing the opportunity to address questions related to the use of the website and to practice PA in groups e. To evaluate short-term effects of the intervention on physical and psychological health, PA, physical fitness, and cognitive and psychological variables will be assessed at baseline and week follow-up.
This study will provide answers regarding acceptance and effectiveness of web-based interventions promoting uptake and maintenance of regular PA in persons aged 65β75 years. Study findings will contribute to a growing body of evidence in Germany concerning the role of community-based interventions for the promotion of PA and healthy ageing in older adults. Peer Review reports. Regular physical activity PA is associated with improvements in physical, psychological, cognitive, and functional health [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ].
Moreover, it is recommended that older adults engage in flexibility and strength training at least two times per week [ 5 , 6 ]. Physical limitations due to health conditions or age-related restrictions, as well as a lack of age-appropriate PA programs and information regarding access to such programs, are barriers to program participation and to reaching PA recommendations in this population [ 9 ]. In contrast, high levels of personal motivation to stay physically and mentally active, as well as having access to affordable and appropriate exercise options, are perceived as facilitators for reaching and maintaining PA recommendations by older adults [ 9 ].
