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 .
A randomised controlled trial of three pragmatic approaches to initiate increased physical activity in sedentary patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
BACKGROUND Physical activity is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease , but it is unclear what combination of feasible approaches , using existing re sources in primary care , work best to initiate increased physical activity . AIM To assess three approaches to initiate increased physical activity . DESIGN OF STUDY R and omised controlled ( 2 X 2 X 2 ) factorial trial . SETTING Four general practice s. METHOD One hundred and fifty-one sedentary patients with computer documented risk factors for cardiovascular disease were r and omised to eight groups defined by three factors :  prescription by general practitioners ( GPs ) for brisk exercise not requiring a leisure facility ( for example , walking ) 30 minutes per day , 5 days per week ; counselling by practice nurses , based on psychological theory to modify intentions and perceived control of behaviour , and using behavioural implementation techniques ( for example , contracting , ' rehearsal ' ) ; use of the Health Education Authority booklet ' Getting active , feeling fit ' . RESULTS Single interventions had modest effects . There was a trend from the least intensive interventions ( control + /- booklet ) to the more intensive interventions ( prescription and counselling combined + /- booklet ) for both increased physical activity and fitness ( test for trend , P = 0.02 and P = 0.05 , respectively ) . Only with the most intense intervention ( prescription and counselling combined ) were there significant increases in both physical activity and fitness from baseline ( Godin score = 14.4 , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] = 7.8 to 21 , which was equivalent to three 15-minute sessions of brisk exercise and a 6-minute walking distance = 28.5 m , respectively , 95 % CI = 11.1 to 45.8 ) . Counselling only made a difference among those individuals with lower intention at baseline . CONCLUSION Feasible interventions using available staff , which combine exercise prescription and counselling explicitly based on psychological theory , can probably initiate important increases in physical activity
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 .