This systematic review found that recent studies focusing on exercise program adherence in older adults have used a variety of methods to measure adherence. There is no agreed method of assessing adherence to exercise among older people, so various approaches are used, making the comparison of adherence rates between studies difficult. This hampers progress toward understanding exercise adherence in older people, as well as how to enhance it. Adherence to centre-based exercise programs is relatively easy to document but adherence to home-based exercise currently relies on self-report, which may overestimate or underestimate actual exercise frequency and duration. In the future,

technology may enable more accurate LY2157299 in vivo measurement of adherence in home-based physical activity studies. Given the variability in measurement of adherence it was not possible to meaningfully compare adherence rates across studies. However, it was noted that retention and adherence rates in most of the included studies were suboptimal. The apparently higher rate of adherence to centre-based programs provides challenges for the widespread

implementation of exercise programs. Some programs combine group and home-based aspects. This may be a feasible and cost-effective solution. Given the limitations of this review, this issue requires further investigation. A number of person-level factors were found to be associated with greater adherence rates. Interestingly, reduced mental wellbeing appeared to present a greater barrier to exercise adherence than reduced physical wellbeing.10 People at risk of depression were less likely no ABT-263 nmr to adhere to prescribed programs. Physical activity is potentially beneficial

for fatigue and depression, so future intervention could specifically target adherence in this group of people. The concept of loneliness also requires more investigation. This group of people might require more encouragement, affirmation and feedback.11 and 12 Adherence is promoted by the belief that an intervention will be effective (the outcome expectancy), as well as the belief that the individual is capable of following the requirements of the intervention (the efficacy expectancy).13 It has been postulated that people with greater adherence may engage in other health-promoting behaviours. Thus, adherence may be a marker for a personality type, or related to motivation or goal-directed behaviours. Self-efficacy, which may relate to motivation, is the perceived confidence in one’s ability to accomplish a specific task.13 Self-efficacy has been shown to affect exercise adoption and maintenance.11 Therefore, intervention programs should develop and nurture this characteristic to enable individuals to continue with the program. Several of the studies included in this review used a range of strategies in an effort to enhance adherence.