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 .
Comparative effects of two physical activity programs on measured and perceived physical functioning and other health-related quality of life outcomes in older adults.
BACKGROUND Although inactivity is an important contributor to impaired functioning and disability with age , little is known concerning how improvements in physical functioning and well-being in older adults vary with the type of physical activity undertaken . METHODS One hundred three adults age 65 years and older , recruited via population -based methods , were r and omized to 12 months of community-based , moderate-intensity endurance and strengthening exercises ( Fit & Firm ) or stretching and flexibility exercises ( Stretch & Flex ) . A combination of class- and home-based exercise formats was used . Measured and self-rated physical performance along with perceived functioning and well-being were assessed pre- and postintervention . RESULTS Fit & Firm subjects showed greater 12-month improvements in both measured and self-rated endurance and strength compared to Stretch & Flex subjects . Stretch & Flex subjects reported greater improvements in bodily pain , and Stretch & Flex men evidence d greater improvements in flexibility relative to Fit & Firm subjects . Although overall exercise adherence was high in both exercise conditions ( approximately 80 % ) , subjects in both conditions showed better adherence to the home- versus class-based portions of their exercise prescriptions . CONCLUSIONS Community-based programs focusing on moderate-intensity endurance and strengthening exercises or flexibility exercises can be delivered through a combination of formats that result in improvement in important functional and well-being outcomes . This represents one of the first studies to report significant improvements in an important quality of life outcome -bodily pain-with a regular regimen of stretching and flexibility exercises in a community-based sample of older adults
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 .