Conduct research to better understand what motivates individuals to participate and remain involved in community, home-based and worksite programs, and/or self-directed activitities.

Develop a steering committee of Blueprint partner organizations.
Access reports on currently available research on physical activity participation for different segments of the at-risk population.
Convene groups of experts to recommend the most effective intervention strategies for addressing identified barriers.
Identify the research gaps and plan a strategic research agenda to fill those gaps.

National Institute on Aging (Lead Organization)

American College of Sports Medicine, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Directors Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Society on Aging, Gerontological Society of America, Human Kinetics, International Council on Active Aging, National Conference of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners, Society of Behavioral Medicine, and other organizations.

Organizations would provide content specialists, support the commissioned papers and meetings, and fund research initiatives. Long-term tactics might include developing a toolkit that helps researchers and practitioners utilize the strategies. Information would be disseminated through a national clearinghouse.

Expertise to define current knowledge and establish criteria for evaluation.
Secure funding.
Access to marketing and publication outlets for reports and toolkits.
Access to a clearinghouse.

Need buy-in from researchers and multiple groups (e.g., clinicians, community practitioners).
Evaluation of progress toward goals is required.
Research results must be easily understood by lay audiences.

The National Institute on Aging will continue to fund innovative research examining factors that influence individual decisions to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. NIA is currently involved in two National Institutes of Health initiatives, the Behavioral Change Consortium and the Health Maintenance Consortium, to promote and sustain physical activity in older adults.

AARP continually conducts research to understand behavioral issues in people over age 50. The survey, “Exercise Attitudes and Behaviors” was released in 2002.

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