Increasing Physical Activity in Empty Nest and Retired Populations Online: A Randomized Feasibility Study

The onset of retirement and children leaving the family home may offer a window of opportunity for individuals to influence regular moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity; therefore, this study examines the feasibility of a moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity intervention among recently retired participants (RET) and parents (P) with children who recently left the family home. A total of 46 inactive RET and nine inactive P were randomized to a 10-week web intervention (n = RET = 25/ P = 4) or waitlist control (n = RET = 21/P = 5). Intervention techniques followed the multiprocess action control framework. Enrollment (37.5% for P; 40% for RET), retention (89% for P; 83% for RET), and satisfaction were high. One hundred percent of intervention-sectioned participation increased moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity compared with 52% of controls; large effect size differences were observed for key multiprocess action control constructs. Participants were highly satisfied with the intervention; however, recruitment challenges of P support moving to a randomized controlled trial for only the RET group.

Automated summary

The feasibility of a moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity intervention was examined among recently retired participants (RET) and parents (P) with children who recently left the family home. The intervention had a high enrollment rate, retention rate, and satisfaction rate. Participants in the intervention group showed a significant increase in moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity compared to the control group.