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 .
RCT of a theory-based intervention promoting healthy eating and physical activity amongst out-patients older than 65 years.
A r and omised controlled trial was used to evaluate a theory-based health promotion intervention . The intervention , a healthy living booklet , was design ed to promote healthy eating and physical activity amongst people aged over 65 years attending hospital out-patient clinics . The booklet employed persuasive arguments targeting the most proximal cognitive antecedents of behaviour specified by the theory of planned behaviour , as well as goal setting prompts . Participants ( N = 252 , average age=82 ) were r and omly allocated to a control ( patient satisfaction question naire ) or intervention ( healthy living booklet ) group .  Cognitions and behaviour were measured pre-intervention and at a two week follow up . The intervention group made significantly higher gains in perceived behavioural control , intention and behaviour for both target behaviours , suggesting that the intervention was successful . Sixty three of those invited to set goals to eat more healthily ( e.g. , " to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day " ) did so , and 67 % of those who set such goals reported 100 % success in acting on them . By contrast , only 34 % of intervention participants set an activity goal ( e.g. , " a five minute walk everyday " ) , and only 51 % reported 100 % success in enacting these goals . Results suggest that the observed behavioural effects of the healthy eating booklet could be attributed to goal setting as well as changes in perceived behavioural control and intention
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 .