BackgroundAn ageing population combined with a decline in physical activity with age have prompted calls for investment in physical activity programmes and services for older people. The Move for Life (MFL) intervention aims to augment existing community-based physical activity programmes for middle-to-older aged adults in Ireland using behaviour change strategies and peer support. The intervention was found to be feasible and has the potential to impact desired outcomes in intended ways. This study reports on the process evaluation of the MFL cluster randomised feasibility trial.MethodsThe process evaluation used a sequential explanatory mixed methods design. Guided by the Medical Research Council framework, the evaluation sought to uncover links between implementation variables, mechanisms of impact and context of the intervention. The evaluation also addressed the dimensions of sustainability and cost of the intervention, as recommended in the RE-AIM framework.ResultsWhile generally the trial reached the target audience, recruitment of males and individuals from hard-to-reach groups remained challenging. The evaluation revealed potential mechanisms underlying the effects of the intervention, notably improved attitudes toward physical activity, more positive appraisal of physical activity programmes and instructors, enhanced interpersonal interaction, greater social support, and higher use of individual and group behaviour change techniques. Regarding sustainability, MFL showed potential to strengthen the relationship between individuals and their Local Sports Partnership. The MFL intervention was associated with a statistically insignificant increase in mean cost relative to usual provision, and a statistically significant increase in mean cost relative to the control arm. While the evaluation supports the original MFL intervention logic model, it also suggests three major areas for improvement. These are the need to reconsider the use of the participant handbook for the delivery of behavioural skills as well as the number of behavioural change strategies included, particularly for shorter duration programme formats, and better integrate the training of peer mentors and physical activity programme instructors.ConclusionThe findings highlight the essential role of process evaluation to inform intervention design to facilitate optimal implementation and illustrate the value of considering several perspectives in understanding, collecting and using cost estimates from interventions.Trial registrationIdentifier ISRCTN11235176, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11235176.

The combination of an ageing population, increasing prevalence of preventable noncommunicable diseases and a decline in physical activity with age emphasizes the need for investment in physical activity programs and services for older people. This study aimed to add to the initial evidence on the effectiveness of the Move for Life (MFL) intervention by examining its effects on psychosocial health outcomes and determinants of physical activity. MFL is an intervention that aims to augment existing community-based public physical activity programs for middle-aged and older adults in Ireland with strategies derived from behavioural theory and support from peer leaders. A 3-arm cluster randomised feasibility trial compared MFL intervention, usual provision (UP) and waiting list control (CON) groups at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1, at 8-, 10- or 12-weeks) and 6-month follow up after baseline (T2). Psychosocial health and determinants of physical activity were assessed at each occasion by validated self-report measures. Linear or generalized linear mixed models were fitted to estimate group differences over time. Of 733 recruited individuals, 601 (mean age: 63.06 ± 8.1 years, 80.4% female) met study inclusion criteria. Significant advantages were found in the MFL group relative to UP in ratings of self-efficacy to overcome barriers to physical activity participation, subjective norms for and attitudes towards participation in physical activity (ps < .05). Subsequent analyses accounting for implementation fidelity revealed additional advantages for the 'high fidelity' MFL group relative to other groups, notably regarding loneliness and relatedness to others, perceived behavioural control, attitudes toward and intentions to participate in physical activity (ps < .05). The pattern of results shows the potential of MFL to impact positively the psychosocial health of inactive adults aged 50 + years and change psychosocial determinants of physical activity, particularly when implemented as intended. The results suggest as well that existing physical activity programs may have unexpected psychosocial consequences.

BackgroundMove for Life (MFL) is a theory-informed intervention that was developed to augment established physical activity (PA) programmes and enable inactive adults aged 50 years and older to be more active. This study examined the feasibility of MFL and sought to provide evidence of its potential for improving PA and associated health outcomes.MethodsA 3-arm cluster randomised feasibility trial compared MFL intervention, usual provision (UP) and control (CON) groups at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1, at 8, 10 or 12- weeks) and 6-month follow up (T2). We used purposive sampling strategies to recruit participants according to characteristics of interest. Feasibility outcomes assessed recruitment, fidelity, adherence, retention and data completion rates based on pre-set criteria. Primary outcomes were accelerometer-based moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and self-reported compliance with physical activity guidelines (PAGL). Secondary outcomes included light intensity PA (LiPA), standing time, sedentary time, body composition (adiposity), physical function and psychological well-being. We used linear mixed models (continuous outcomes) or generalized estimated equations (categorical outcomes) to estimate group differences over time in the study outcomes.ResultsProgression criteria for feasibility outcomes were met, and 733 individuals were recruited. Considering a 6-month period (T0-T2), while self-reported compliance with PAGL increased in MFL relative to UP and CON and in UP relative to CON, standing time decreased in MFL relative to CON and sedentary time increased in the latter compared to UP. Waist circumference decreased in MFL relative to UP and CON. MFL outperformed UP in the Timed Up and Go Test while MFL and UP increased the distance covered in the Six-Minute Walk Test compared to CON. Psychological well-being increased in MFL relative to CON (all p < 0.05).ConclusionFindings show that MFL is feasible, while data are promising with regards to the potential of improving community PA programmes for adults aged 50 or more years.Clinical trial registrationhttps://www.isrctn.com/Registration#ISRCTN11235176.

: The costs of supporting hospitals are rising, bed numbers are falling and a growing population living longer will require more hospital visits over their lifetime. Thus there is a global focus on increasing the efficiency of patient throughput in a hospital. Bed management systems are still commonly paper-based and are effectively memory-less from the hospital point of view. The hospital information systems are typically billing and ordering systems with minimal information on patient movement along the patient pathway. The literature suggests that technology and shared information allow for shared views to model and predict usage to better manage finite resources. Paper-based systems work against this. This paper presents the design considerations for a bed management application developed in conjunction with a local private hospital. The application developed, provides a hospital-wide view of patient and bed status by recording and capturing touchpoints, that is patient-hospital interactions. Furthermore, it captures data electronically such that the data can be used for analysing patient presentation and bed moving with a view to improve bed management and patient throughput.

Abstract Background Substantial evidence shows that meeting physical activity guidelines is important for disease prevention, promoting physical and mental health and quality of life. In Ireland, only 38% of older adults are sufficiently active to meet the guidelines. The primary aim of this research was to conduct a feasibility study of the Move for Life intervention to reach and help inactive adults 50+ increase their physical activity. Methods Move for Life is a feasibility cluster randomised control trial where the Local Sports Partnerships hubs are the units of randomisation and individuals within the hubs are the units of analysis. The intervention augments regular programme content with behavioural skills, social support and group cohesion strategies, and includes a peer-mentoring component. Over seven hundred (N = 733) participants registered to become part of the intervention. Most (98%, n = 724) completed baseline measures. Participants were asked to complete self-report process evaluation questionnaires immediately after and 12 weeks after their programme had finished. Interviews were conducted with participants, physical activity instructors and peer mentors. Questionnaire responses across groups were compared with tests of statistical significance. Qualitative data complemented and assisted with interpretation of quantitative findings. Results A total of 601 participants met eligibility criteria (average age 63.06 years, range 50-91, 80.4% female). The study retention rate was 63%. Reported compliance rate with intervention strategies was over 75%. The intervention group were more likely to enjoy the programme than usual provision. Intervention participants were more likely to report the programme as interesting and worth the time they invested in it, and to recommend it to a friend than usual provision. They were also more likely to report enjoying learning about different strategies to keep physically active (ORs ranging from 2.56 to 3.76). At 3-month follow up, the intervention group were more likely to be aware of their Local Sports Partnership opportunities and to have contacted their Local Sports Partnership more frequently in comparison to usual provision (all p >.05). Conclusions Move for Life is a realistic and promising augmentation to existing physical activity programmes for older adults with potential for adoption and scalability following completion of a full trial.

Automated driving solutions represent a potential solution to promoting driver persistence and the management of fitness to drive issues in older adults. This paper reports on the application of a ‘Human Factors & Ethics Canvas’ and associated methodologies, to support the preliminary specification of an ethically responsible solution for a new driver assistance system. The proposed driving assistance solution has emerged from an analysis of certain ethical principles in relation to the goals and needs of specific older adult drivers (i.e. personae) in different situations (i.e. scenarios). The driving solution is designed to optimize the abilities and participation of older adults.

New assisted driving technology provides a solution to enabling driver persistence while also addressing older adult fitness to drive issues. The proposed driver assistance system follows a detailed literature review, an analysis of secondary data, and the specification of a solution using human machine interaction (HMI) design methods. Overall, the assisted driving concept follows from a principled/ethical perspective in relation to promoting self-efficacy and enablement for older adults. The system is conceptualized as a supportive friend or 'co-pilot'. It is argued that the use of new car-based sensors, along with machine learning intelligence and novel multimodal HMI communication methods will enable driver persistence while also promoting older adult self-efficacy and positive ageing.

Mobility is associated with driving a vehicle.Age-related declines in the abilities of older persons present certain obstacles to safe driving.The negative effects of driving cessation on older adults' physical, mental, cognitive, and social functioning are well reported.Automated driving solutions represent a potential solution to promoting driver persistence and the management of fitness to drive issues in older adults.Technology innovation influences societal values and raises ethical questions.The advancement of new driving solutions raises overarching questions in relation to the values of society and how we design technology (a) to promote positive values around ageing, (b) to enhance ageing experience, (c) to protect human rights, (d) to ensure human benefit and (e) to prioritise human well-being.To this end, this chapter reviews the relevant ethical considerations in relation to assisted driving solutions.Further, it presents a new ethically aligned system concept for assisted driving.It is argued that human benefit, well-being and respect for human identity and rights are important goals for new automated driving technologies.Enabling driver persistence is an issue for all of society and not just older adult.

Introduction Physical inactivity among adults aged 50 years and over is a worldwide health concern. The objectives of the study were to investigate the perspectives of those involved with existing physical activity programmes on optimising recruitment, sustainability and scalability of physical activity programmes for adults aged 50 years and over. Methods The study was conducted in Ireland’s Midwest region, where community-based physical activity programmes are delivered to groups by state-funded Local Sports Partnerships. Programme attendees, physical activity professionals and community advocates were recruited. One-to-one interviews and focus groups were conducted in 2018, recorded, transcribed and analysed by an interdisciplinary team experienced in qualitative research. Over a series of meetings, a thematic approach was used to code and analyse the transcripts, categorising data into higher order codes, themes and overarching themes with the purpose of making meaning of the data. Twenty-nine people participated in four focus groups and 18 participated in one-to-one interviews. Findings Data analysis produced three overarching themes. “Age appropriate” explains how communication and the environment should be adapted to the needs of adults aged 50 years and older. “Culture and connection” refer to the interplay of individual and social factors that influence participation, including individual fears and insecurities, group cohesion and added value beyond the physical gains in these programmes. “Roles and partnerships” outlines how key collaborations may be identified and managed and how local ownership is key to success and scalability. Conclusion Successful recruitment, sustainability and scalability require an understanding that the target population has unique needs that must be catered for when planning interventions, communicating messages and choosing personnel. The findings of this study can inform the development of community-based programmes to increase physical activity in adults aged 50 years and older.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability of the Arabic language version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPA Q-A). Additionally, the study assessed criterion validity of the instrument. METHODS: Emirati university students (N.=93) were asked to complete the GPA Q-A on two occasions (7 days apart). A subset of 48 participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days after which they completed the GPA Q-A. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability of the GPAQ-A was acceptable for moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (rho=0.78; 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.86), moderate physical activity (MPA) (rho=0.73; 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.82) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) (rho=0.62; 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.76). Test-retest reliability of the single item sedentary behavior (SB) measure was less promising (rho=0.44; 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.64). Criterion validity of the MVPA measure was fair (rho=0.23; 95% CI: -0.13 to 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Test-retest reliability for the GPA Q-A was acceptable to assess physical activity (PA) but less promising for SB. Criterion validity of the PA measures was fair. Additional work is needed to develop robust measures of PA and SB in this population.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess Emirati university students' knowledge of physical activity guidelines and perceptions of the benefits of physical activity for mental health. Methods: A random sample (n=628) completed an online questionnaire assessing the recommended amount of physical activity for good health (min/week) and to what extent exercise can help improve wellbeing, and manage depression and anxiety/stress (5-point Likert-type scale). Results: Only 3% of respondents identified 150min/week and less than half (39%) of the respondents reported an amount within the range of 150-300min/week. Most respondents believed that physical activity could improve wellbeing (69%), and manage depression (71%) and anxiety/stress (74%). Females were more likely than males to view physical activity as a way to manage depression (p=.003), and anxiety/stress (p=.002). Conclusions: More work may be required to promote awareness of physical activity guidelines in this population, and males' awareness of mental health benefits of physical activity.

Background This study assessed recreational physical activity type and context preferences of Emirati university students. Method This was a cross-sectional study in which a stratified random sample (n=628) (female 69.1%, male 30.9% mean age 20.79±3.81 y) completed an online survey. Relationships between gender and preferences were assessed using regression analysis, adjusted for body mass index and age. Results Activities with a fun element were the most preferred context (87.1%). Walking (66.7%) and swimming (61.7%) were the most preferred activity types. Males had significantly higher odds of preferring competitive activities, and activity types such as football, fitness/weights and jogging. Females had significantly higher odds of preferring activities with people of the same gender, with supervision and done at home, and activity types such as walking, aerobics, cycling, squash and yoga. Conclusion These results can inform physical activity planning for university students in the United Arab Emirates. Fun activity opportunities involving walking or swimming and in the local neighbourhood may be popular for both males and females. Future research could explore uptake and maintenance of activity options, based on preferred activity attributes.

Measurement bias elimination and ratiometric measurement are techniques in instrumentation which can improve measurement precision. A measurement circuit in which bias was eliminated for the analogue-to-digital conversion of the voltage across the device under test has previously been developed, but it did not eliminate bias for the conversion of the voltage across the ratiometric reference resistor. A modified, double bias elimination circuit has also been previously proposed, which adds elimination of bias for the reference resistor. This circuit would be most useful in specialized investigations of, for example, the behavior of materials over narrow temperature ranges. Here, we describe the circuit's operation in detail, and propose a cost- effective calibration method to maximize the benefits of the design, based on the high precision and stability of readily- available, low-cost resistors.

Abstract A circuit design with bespoke control software is described which has delivered precision in electrical impedance measurements of ~ 10ppm, after calibration. It is low-cost and applicable to jobs such as direct measurement using a sensor whose resistance changes with some physical quantity of interest; calibration at end of line in the production of such sensors; or calibration of equipment which may be out of warranty. It was developed using resistance temperature detectors (RTDs)

Background: Exercise could have a role in ameliorating some of the adverse effects of External Beam Radiotherapy and Androgen Deprivation Therapy (EBRT+ADT) in men with prostate cancer. The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility (process, resource and management) and efficacy (scientific) of a home-based moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) walking exercise intervention for patients with localised prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing EBRT+ADT in anticipation of a future confirmatory RCT. Methods: PCa patients receiving EBRT+ADT were randomized to a home-based MVPA walking intervention (n=12) or standard care (n=12) for the duration of their EBRT. Intervention patients were prescribed 3000 steps in 30 minutes on 5 days each week, i.e. a cadence of 100 steps/minute. These 3000 steps/day were prescribed in addition to their pre-determined habitual step/day. Fatigue, health related quality of life (HRQoL), anthropometric measures and physical performance were assessed at baseline (planning CT), mid EBRT, end of EBRT, and at 1 month post EBRT. Intervention participants' satisfaction with the intervention and barriers/facilitators to exercise during EBRT were also assessed. Control group participants' exercise knowledge, attitudes and practices were assessed post EBRT. The feasibility of the intervention's processes, resources and management were assessed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: The exercise intervention group showed greater improvements in fatigue, quality of life, anthropometric measures and physical performance compared to standard care controls. These improvements were sustained beyond the intervention period. Exercise convenience and treatment centre environment emerged as exercise facilitators. Intervention participants' average exercise convenience and satisfaction ratings were 4.8/5 (SD=0.4) i.e. extremely convenient and 4.8/5 (SD=0.4) i.e. extremely satisfied respectively. A lack of time and poor weather emerged as exercise barriers. Standard care controls had poor exercise knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) post EBRT, for example only 42% of the control group were aware of the correct recommended weekly MVPA guidelines. Conclusions: This preliminary evidence suggests that a pragmatic home-based MVPA walking exercise intervention is feasible and has the potential to evoke improvements in fatigue, in addition to other important health outcomes in men with PCa undergoing EBRT+ADT. This pilot study has achieved its six feasibility criteria and should proceed to a future confirmatory RCT. Impact: This study shows for the first time that a pragmatic home-based MVPA walking exercise intervention using evidence based tailored exercise prescriptions is feasible and could have a positive impact on fatigue and other key outcomes in men with PCa receiving EBRT+ADT.

An innovative process is proposed for the calibration of thermometric devices, combining materials which change state at primary temperature calibration points defined in international standards, and electrical impedance measurement techniques. The process will use pure samples of such materials and a measurement apparatus which enables the automated matching of the elimination of measurement bias to each of a number of calibration points, improving resolution and accuracy. The proposed process will be low-cost to allow implementation and regular calibration of temperature sensing and controlled devices in a standard manufacturing process.

This paper investigates the potential for using the freezing-points of high-purity metals for direct temperature calibration, on site and at low cost. These freezing-points are primary calibration points in the International Temperature Scale (ITS-90) [1]. It has been found that small amounts of high-purity metals can be obtained in the marketplace cheaply. Experiments were carried out by driving a constant current through a resistance temperature detector (RTD) immersed in a sample of a pure metal and measuring the voltage across it as it transited from liquid to solid. The voltage was found to be constant for a time, as expected, due to the release of latent heat by the metal as it froze, keeping the temperature constant. These voltage values can then be equated to the temperature of the metal's freezing-point.