Effects of peer support and mobile application-based walking programme on physical activity and physical function in rural older adults: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Increased physical activity maintains functional fitness and prevents aging-related declines in muscle mass for older adults. However, physical inactivity is prevalent in aging population, particularly in those living in rural areas. In this study we assessed the effectiveness of a 3-month peer support and mobile application-based walking programme on physical activity and physical function in rural older Chinese adults.

Methods: This was a cluster randomized control trial recruiting adults aged  ≥ 60 years. Participants were randomized into intervention and control groups (4 clusters with 36 participants for each group). The intervention included face-to-face physical activity group sessions, peer-led walking, and mobile application-based feedback. Primary outcome was pedometer-measured daily walking steps, and secondary outcomes mainly included physical function and body composition. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were performed.

Results: Of the included 72 participants (mean age 66.9 years, male 36.1%), 64 completed the study. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that after 3-month walking programme, physical activity was increased by 408 steps/day and grip strength by 1.25 kg in the intervention group compared with the control group. However, no significant outcomes were observed on gait speed, chair-rising time, or body composition. Per-protocol analysis showed similar results. Linear regression analyses showed that changes in daily steps were associated with changes in gait speed (ß = 0.63, P < 0.001) and chair-rising time (ß = - 0.31, P = 0.01).

Conclusions: The 3-month peer support and mobile application-based walking programme could improve physical activity and physical function in rural older adults.

Trial Registration: ChiCTR2000034842, registered on 2020/07/21.