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 .
Print versus website physical activity programs: a randomized trial.
BACKGROUND Mediated physical activity interventions can reach large numbers of people at low cost . Programs delivered through the mail that target the stage of motivational readiness have been shown to increase activity . Communication technology ( websites and e-mail ) might provide a means for delivering similar programs . METHODS R and omized trial conducted between August and October 2001 . Participants included staff at an Australian university ( n=655 ; mean age=43 , st and ard deviation , 10 years ) . Participants were r and omized to either an 8-week , stage-targeted print program ( Print ) or 8-week , stage-targeted website ( Web ) program . The main outcome was change in self-reported physical activity . RESULTS There was no significant increase in total reported physical activity within or between groups when analyzed by intention to treat ( F [1,653]=0.41 , p=0.52 ) . There was a significant increase in total physical activity reported by the Print participants who were inactive at baseline ( t [1,173]=-2.21 , p=0.04 ) , and a significant decrease in the average time spent sitting on a weekday in the Web group ( t [1,326]=2.2 , p=0.03 ) . CONCLUSIONS There were no differences between the Print and Web program effects on reported physical activity . The Print group demonstrated slightly larger effects and a higher level of recognition of program material
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 .