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 randomized walking trial in postmenopausal women: effects on physical activity and health 10 years later.
BACKGROUND It is important to determine if permanent lifestyle changes may result from physical activity interventions and whether health may be affected by these changes . OBJECTIVE To conduct a 10-year follow-up of physical activity and self-reported health status in participants of a r and omized clinical trial of walking intervention .  METHODS Of the original 229 volunteer postmenopausal women who participated in the original clinical trial , 196 ( N = 96 intervention and 100 controls ) completed the 10-year follow-up telephone interview . The interview protocol included questions on  self-reported walking for exercise  and purpose s other than exercise , the Paffenbarger sport and exercise index , functional status , and various chronic diseases and conditions . RESULTS The median values for both usual walking for exercise and total walking  were significantly higher for walkers compared with controls ( for both , P = .01 ) , with median differences of 706 and 420 kcal/wk , respectively . After excluding women who reported heart disease during the original trial , 2 women in the walking group ( 2 % ) and 11 women in the control group ( 12 % ) reported physician-diagnosed heart disease over the last 10 years ( P = .07 ) . There were also fewer hospitalizations , surgeries , and falls among women in the walking group , although these differences were not statistically significant ( P>.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Although limited by self-report , this study may be the first to demonstrate long-term exercise compliance to a r and omized control trial in older women and to suggest that health benefits may have ensued as a result of these increased activity levels
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 .