A systematic review of physical activity interventions to improve physical fitness and health outcomes among Indigenous adults living in Canada.

The Indigenous population of Canada faces an increased burden of chronic disease, leading to decreased life expectancy. Physical activity is an important health behaviour that improves chronic disease risk factors and physical fitness. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate physical activity interventions in the Indigenous population in Canada to determine effects on physical activity rates, physical fitness, and health outcomes. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles. Inclusion criteria were studies that examined a physical activity intervention delivered in Indigenous communities in Canada for adults over 18 years of age. Data was extracted and two authors independently rated quality of the evidence. Five studies were included in the narrative synthesis. Interventions were community-based, and three were multi-component interventions focused on preventing or managing type II diabetes. The interventions varied in their success in altering physical activity rates, with increases (