Health contract with sedentary older adults

Purpose: Health educators used health contracts with sedentary older adults for the purpose of increasing exercise or physical activity. Design and Methods: Two health educators helped 25 sedentary older adults complete health contracts, and then they conducted follow-up evaluations. The percentage of scheduled exercise sessions successfully completed by older adults was calculated. Participants were asked if each of five components of the health contract-motivation, goal setting, social support, memory techniques, and problem solving -was helpful in achieving their exercise goals. Results: Of the 25 participants, 20 achieved at least 75% of their exercise goals and 15 had a 100% success rate. Most of the older adults reported that several behavioral, social, and cognitive strategies were helpful to them. Implications: This technique may be applied by health educators or clinicians in a variety of settings and can be focused on one of several potential risk factors.