The heterogeneity in reported effects was reduced in higher quality studies , when physical activity was self-directed with some professional guidance and when there was on-going professional support .
Our review suggests that physical activity interventions have a moderate effect on self reported physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness , but not on achieving a predetermined level of physical activity .
Due to the clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the studies , only limited conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of individual components of the interventions .
BACKGROUND Little is known about the effectiveness of strategies to enable people to achieve an increase in their physical activity .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of interventions for promoting physical activity in adults aged 16 years and older , not living in an institution .
The impact of behavioral counseling on stage of change in fat intake, physical activity, and cigarette smoking in adults at increased risk of coronary heart disease.
OBJECTIVES This study assessed stages of change in fat intake , physical activity , and cigarette smoking during a r and omized controlled trial of behavioral counseling . METHODS Twenty general practice s ( primary health care centers ) were r and omized to lifestyle counseling by behavioral methods or to usual health promotion . A total of 883 patients were selected for the presence of 1 or more of the following risk factors : cigarette smoking , high cholesterol , or a combination of a high body mass index and low physical activity . Stage of change ( precontemplation , contemplation , preparation , and action/maintenance ) was assessed at baseline and after 4 and 12 months . RESULTS The odds of moving to action/maintenance for behavioral intervention vs control patients at 4 months were 2.15 ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] = 1.30 , 3.56 ) for fat reduction , 1.89 ( 95 % CI = 1.07 , 3.36 ) for increased physical activity , and 1.77 ( 95 % CI = 0.76 , 4.14 ) for smoking cessation . The likelihood of achieving action/maintenance was related to baseline stage for all 3 behaviors . CONCLUSIONS Brief behavioral counseling based on advice matched to stage of readiness for change may be valuable in encouraging healthy lifestyles among patients in primary care at raised risk of cardiovascular disease
The heterogeneity in reported effects was reduced in higher quality studies , when physical activity was self-directed with some professional guidance and when there was on-going professional support .
Our review suggests that physical activity interventions have a moderate effect on self reported physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness , but not on achieving a predetermined level of physical activity .
Due to the clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the studies , only limited conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of individual components of the interventions .
BACKGROUND Little is known about the effectiveness of strategies to enable people to achieve an increase in their physical activity .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of interventions for promoting physical activity in adults aged 16 years and older , not living in an institution .