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 .
An evaluation of the effects of Tai Chi exercise on physical function among older persons: A randomized controlled trial
This study was design ed to determine whether a 6-month Tai Chi exercise program can improve self-reported physical functioning limitations among healthy , physically inactive older individuals . Ninety-four community residents ages 65 to 96 ( M age = 72.8 years , SD = 5.1 ) volunteered to participate in the study . Participants were r and omly assigned to either a 6-month experimental ( Tai Chi ) group ( n = 49 ) , which exercised twice per week for 60 min , or a wait-list control group ( n = 45 ) . A 6-item self-report physical functioning scale , assessing the extent of behavioral dysfunction caused by health problems , was used to evaluate change in physical functioning limitations as a result of Tai Chi intervention . Results indicated that compared to the control group , participants in the Tai Chi group experienced significant improvements in all aspects of physical functioning over the course of the 6-month intervention . Overall , the experimental group had 65 % improvement across all 6 functional status measures ranging from daily activities such as walking and lifting to moderate-vigorous activities such as running . It was concluded that the 6-month Tai Chi exercise program was effective for improving functional status in healthy , physically inactive older adults . A self-paced and self-controlled activity such as Tai Chi has the potential to be an effective , low-cost means of improving functional status in older persons
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 .