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 Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS): Lifestyle intervention and 3-year results on diet and physical activity.
OBJECTIVE To describe the 1 ) lifestyle intervention used in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study , 2 ) short- and long-term changes in diet and exercise behavior , and 3 ) effect of the intervention on glucose and lipid metabolism . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS There were 522 middle-aged , overweight subjects with impaired glucose tolerance who were r and omized to either a usual care control group or an intensive lifestyle intervention group .  The control group received general dietary and exercise advice at baseline and had an annual physician 's examination . The subjects in the intervention group received additional individualized dietary counseling from a nutritionist . They were also offered circuit-type resistance training sessions and advised to increase overall physical activity .  The intervention was the most intensive during the first year , followed by a maintenance period . The intervention goals were to reduce body weight , reduce dietary and saturated fat , and increase physical activity and dietary fiber . RESULTS The intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in each intervention goal . After 1 and 3 years , weight reductions were 4.5 and 3.5 kg in the intervention group and 1.0 and 0.9 kg in the control group , respectively . Measures of glycemia and lipemia improved more in the intervention group . CONCLUSIONS The intensive lifestyle intervention produced long-term beneficial changes in diet , physical activity , and clinical and biochemical parameters and reduced diabetes risk . This type of intervention is a feasible option to prevent type 2 diabetes and should be implemented in the primary health care system
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 .