An Outdoor Walking Program for Immigrant Muslim Older Adults: A Community-Based Participatory Intervention.
Jordana Salma, Shelby Yamamoto, Nancy M Salbach and 2 others
PMID 39654125WHAT IT FOUND
Older immigrant Muslim adults reported a 10-week outdoor walking program was acceptable and motivating when sessions included social time, language and cultural support, and Fitbit step tracking.
Transportation and activity literacy were main barriers.
Key findings
01Participants reported high overall satisfaction with the program, and attendance stayed above 90%.
02The social dimension of the program and use of Fitbits were key motivating elements.
03Transportation difficulties and lack of park spaces were major limitations, and lack of physical activity literacy was also identified as a potential barrier.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was small and convenience based, with 13 participants recruited from one mosque seniors' program. Participants were already motivated and had positive views of physical activity before the program, so the findings may not apply to older adults who are less motivated. The study was qualitative and did not test whether the program improved physical activity, mobility, falls, or health. One participant dropped out due to transportation, and Fitbit step data were available for only 12 of 13 participants and nine weeks. The group was mostly female, shared common language and cultural ties, and had varying digital literacy, so results may not transfer to other immigrant communities or technology access situations.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this walking program improves physical activity, mobility, falls, or health. The paper was a small qualitative pilot of acceptability and feasibility, and it did not test those outcomes.