Birgit Wallmann

Da die Bewegungs- und Sportaktivität bei Älteren gering ausgeprägt ist, erfolgte eine Analyse verschiedener zielgruppenspezifischer und zielgruppenunspezifischer Zugangswege (Bewegungsangebote, Plakataktion, online-Befragung). Als effektiv erwiesen sich die zielgruppenspezifischen Bewegungsangebote, die bei Männern und bei Personen der einfachen Bildungsschicht zu einer deutlich höheren Teilnehmerrate führten. Unter Bezug auf das Transtheoretische Modell (TTM) ist zukünftig bei der Analyse der zielgruppenspezifischen Zugangswege die motivationale Ausgangslage der bewegungsinaktiven Älteren stärker zu ­berücksichtigen. The majority of elderly persons are still not sufficiently physically active. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate different approaches (physical activity courses, poster, online-survey) for activating elderly to participate in physical activity. The most effective approach was target group physical activity courses with which higher course participa­tion rates in men as well as in people with lower levels of education were achieved. Referring to the transtheoretical model (TTM) it is necessary for future analyses of target group approaches to consider more intensely the initial motivational position of physically inactive elderly.

Sedentary behaviour in general and sitting time in particular is an emerging global health concern. The aim of this study was to provide data on the prevalence of sitting time in German adults and to examine socio-demographic and environmental correlates of sitting time.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the perception of the neighbourhood environment alters when changing the physical activity behaviour through a pedometer intervention.

Background: There is a growing body of international data on the association between physical activity (PA) and variables of the perceived environment. German data is still lacking. The purpose of this study was to provide data on PA (moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) vs. walking) and the perceived environment in urban and rural areas. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with inhabitants of urban (n = 310) and rural (n = 345) areas in the western part of Germany. The sample consisted of 655 adults [49.8% women; mean age = 43.3 (SD = 12.7)]. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)-short version and the IPAQ environmental module were used. Outcome variables were time in MVPA as well as in walking. We analysed the association between perceived environmental variables and PA by a series of linear regressions. Results: We observed associations between PA and access to destinations, well-maintained sidewalks, seeing physically active people in the neighbourhood, higher residential density and neighbourhood safety. The associations varied as a function of PA (MVPA vs. walking) and area (urban vs. rural). The variance explaining the models including environmental variables as well as sex and age ranged from 1% (model: MVPA in rural area) up to 9.9% (model MVPA in urban area). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the perceived environment is important to promote both MVPA and walking in rural and urban areas. To better understand environmental correlates in rural structures, we particularly need more specific studies.

The aim of this intervention study was to evaluate the health effect of the German physical activity campaign "3000 steps more per day". Physical activity should be enhanced by means of adding 3000 steps per day to baseline level. After identifying the step counts at baseline, all participants (n = 153, 43.0 ± 8.3 years) were urged to accumulate additional 3000 steps per day to their baseline activity over a period of 15 weeks. Pre- and post-tests included measurements of (1) body weight and body mass index, (2) aerobic fitness as well as (3) subjective quality of life. At baseline the mean activity level reached 6646 ± 2305 steps per day and increased during intervention to 9886 ± 2536 steps per day. 52.9% of the participants achieved the intervention goal throughout the intervention. The body weight and body mass index reduced significantly. Aerobic fitness and subjective quality of life significantly improved. By means of the present intervention considerable health effects are achieved. Pedometer interventions are a reasonable possibility for lifestyle changes, especially for physical inactive people. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist es, Effekte der nationalen Bewegungskampagne "3000 Schritte mehr am Tag" auf ausgewählte gesundheitliche Parameter hin zu untersuchen. Im Rahmen der niederschwelligen Intervention wird das ursprüngliche Aktivitätsniveau der Probanden um täglich 3000 Schritte gesteigert. Nach erfolgter Bestandsaufnahme der ursprünglichen Gehaktivität werden die Probanden (n = 153, ø-Alter: 43,0 ± 8,3 Jahre) angewiesen ihre Basisaktivität für 15 Wochen zu erhöhen. Die Vor- und Nachuntersuchung beinhalteten: Bestimmung von 1) Körpergewicht und Body Mass Index, 2) walkingspezifischer Ausdauerleistungsfähigkeit sowie 3) subjektiver Lebensqualität. In der Testwoche erreicht das Gesamtkollektiv eine durchschnittliche Gehaktivität von 6648 ± 2305 Schritten pro Tag, die sich während der Intervention auf 9886 ± 2356 Schritte pro Tag erhöht. 52,9 % der Stichprobe erreichen das Interventionsziel über den Gesamtzeitraum hinweg. Das Körpergewicht, der Body Mass Index, Aspekte der subjektiven Lebensqualität und die walkingspezifische Ausdauerleistungsfähigkeit verbessern sich hoch signifikant (p < 0,001). Mit Hilfe von Pedometerinterventionen werden gesundheitswirksame Verbesserungen erzielt und stellen vor allem für bisher inaktive Personen eine sinnvolle Möglichkeit zur Erhöhung der Alltagsaktivität dar.