Physical inactivity is one of the strongest predictors of physical disability in older adults. Older adults who remain fit and active are more likely to retain physical and cognitive function, avoid disease and disability, and enjoy independence, mental wellbeing and a higher quality of life.

Physical activity in the community

REACT is assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a community-based physical activity intervention for reducing, or reversing the progression of functional limitations in older people who are at high risk of mobility-related disability.

A 12-month intervention programme of group sessions incorporates cardiovascular, strength, coordination and flexibility exercises. Sessions are held twice-weekly in leisure centres or health clubs in the 'adoption phase' (weeks 1-12), and weekly in the 'maintenance phase' (weeks 13-52), with social engagement and enjoyment seen as priorities. The control group receives three social and education sessions over the two years of the study.

Trial details

REACT is a full-scale, pragmatic, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial with a 24-month follow-up, based on the successful US LIFE Study.

Between February 2016 and October 2017, REACT recruited 777 people over the age of 65 to take part in the new programme delivered in local community centres in Bath, Bristol, Birmingham and in Devon ensuring economic and ethnic diversity.

Further information about this research can be found on the REACT project website.

Project Team

University of Bath

• Dr Janet Withall, Trial Manager
• Professor James Bilzon
• Dr Sean Williams
• Dr Jolanthe de Koning, Research Assistant
• Dr Max Western, Research Assistant
• Lisa Taylor, REACT Administrator

University of Birmingham

• Dr Afroditi Stathi, Chief Investigator
• Professor Janice Thompson
• Professor Colin Greaves
• Sarah Coleman, Research Assistant

University of Bristol

• Emeritus Professor Ken Fox

University of Exeter

• Dr Gordon Taylor
• Professor Colin Green
• Dr Antonieta Medina-Lara
• Dr Jessica Bollen, Research Assistant

University of Oxford

• Professor Heidi Johansen-Berg
• Dr Claire Sexton

University of West of England

• Professor Selena Gray, Public Health

Partners

• West Bank Charity, Exeter
• Age UK Birmingham
• Bath and North East Somerset (BANES)
• St John’s Hospital, Bath
• St Monica Trust, Bristol
• Bristol Ageing Better (Age UK Bristol)
• Agewell CIC, West Midlands
• Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL)
• Move it or Lose it, Birmingham
• Portway Lifestyle Centre
• Solihull Borough Council
• Pete Ladlow, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court (strength and conditioning consultant)
• Jack M. Guralnik, University of Maryland School of Medicine (consultant)
• W. Jack Rejeski, Wake Forest University (consultant)
• Mark Davis, consultant