Wilcox Sara, Forthofer Melinda, Sharpe Patricia A, Hutto Brent
Prevention Research Center and Dept of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
J Phys Act Health. 2015 Jun 16;12(6 (Suppl 1)):S26-30. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2014-0149. Print 2015 Jun.
Walking interventions delivered by lay leaders have been shown to be effective. Knowing the characteristics of individuals who volunteer to be group leaders in walking programs could facilitate more efficient and effective recruitment and training.
Walking group leaders were recruited into a community-based program and formed walking groups from existing social networks. Leaders and members completed a survey, participated in physical measurements, and wore an accelerometer. Regression models (adjusting for group clustering and covariates) tested psychosocial and behavioral differences between leaders and members.
The sample included 296 adults (86% women, 66% African American). Leaders (n = 60) were similar to members (n = 236) with respect to most sociodemographic and health characteristics, but were significantly older and more likely to report arthritis and high cholesterol (P-values < .05). Although leaders and members were similar in sedentary behavior and physical activity, leaders reported higher levels of exercise self-regulation, self-efficacy, and social support (P-values < .01). Leaders also reported greater use of outdoor trails (P = .005) and other outdoor recreation areas (P = .003) for physical activity than members.
Although walking group leaders were no more active than members, leaders did display psychosocial characteristics and behaviors consistent with a greater readiness for change.
由非专业领导者开展的步行干预已被证明是有效的。了解志愿成为步行项目组长的个人特征有助于更高效地招募和培训。
步行组长被招募进一个基于社区的项目，并从现有的社交网络中组建步行小组。组长和成员完成一项调查，参与身体测量，并佩戴加速度计。回归模型（对组群聚类和协变量进行调整）测试了组长和成员之间的心理社会和行为差异。
样本包括296名成年人（86%为女性，66%为非裔美国人）。在大多数社会人口统计学和健康特征方面，组长（n = 60）与成员（n = 236）相似，但组长年龄显著更大，更有可能报告患有关节炎和高胆固醇（P值 < .05）。尽管组长和成员在久坐行为和身体活动方面相似，但组长报告的运动自我调节、自我效能和社会支持水平更高（P值 < .01）。组长还报告，与成员相比，他们更多地利用户外步道（P = .005）和其他户外休闲区域（P = .003）进行体育活动。
尽管步行组长并不比成员更活跃，但组长确实表现出与更大的改变意愿相一致的心理社会特征和行为。
