Table 2 Behaviour change techniques and strategies to promote physical activity (PA) used in the three phases of the study
Change objectives | Behaviour change techniques | Strategies | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seniors enjoy participating in PA | Tailoring | Professionals select PA on preference target group | X | X | X |
Seniors think it is physically safe and comfortable to perform PA activities | Provide information on consequences of behaviour in general | Day-activity centres’ staff members apply several work forms and exercises in groups to provide information about performing PA safely and about normal bodily reactions to PA | X | X |  |
Professional support | Support PA by familiar professionals | X | X | Â | |
Seniors experience PA as part of their daily activities/routine | Repetition | Structured PA in the day-activity programme, three times a week | Â | X | X |
Seniors think they are able to perform PA | Set graded tasks | Select relatively easy, low intensive, short duration PA in Phase 1. Incremental increases follow. | X | X | Â |
Provide instruction on how to perform behaviour | Professionals tell seniors how to perform the PA | X | X | X | |
Model/Demonstrate behaviour/ | Professionals show seniors how to perform the PA through demonstrations. | X | X | Â | |
Mirroring | The PA takes place in a group setting, where other participants demonstrate PA. | X | X | Â | |
Seniors become more conscious of the benefits of being physically active | Provide information on consequences of behaviour in general | Day-activity centres’ staff members apply several work forms and exercises in groups to provide information about benefits of PA |  | X |  |
Seniors learn about normal bodily reactions to PA | Provide information on consequences of behaviour in general | Day-activity centres’ staff members apply several work forms and exercises in groups to provide information about normal bodily reactions to PA | X | X |  |
Seniors feel physically safe and comfortable to explore their skills | Professional support | Support PA by familiar professionals | X | X | X |
Seniors feel stimulated and supported by others to perform physical activity | Prompt rewards contingent on effort or progress towards behaviour | Using praise and rewards for attempts at performing PA. | X | X | Â |
Provide rewards contingent on successful behaviour | Professionals and day-activity centres’ staff members reinforce successful performance of performance of PA. This includes praise, encouragement and material rewards. | X | X | X | |
Provide feedback on performance | Providing information about participants’ progress in performing the PA. | X | X |  | |
| Â | Plan social support/change | The PA take place in a group setting, with peers familiar to the participant, in which social support can be encouraged. | X | X | X |