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 Center-Based Program for Exercise Change among Black-American Families
A center-based program was design ed and implemented to promote aerobic physical activity among healthy Black-American families with children in the fifth through seventh grade s. Ninety-four Black-American families were actively recruited and r and omly as signed to an experimental or control group . Families in the experimental group were encouraged to participate in a program with the following features : one education and two fitness sessions per week for 14 weeks ; educational sessions that included individual counseling , small group education , aerobic activity , and snack components ; located in a convenient building cherished by the community ; aerobic activity sessions in a fitness center outfitted and staffed according to modern characteristics ; a variety of incentives including free transportation and babysitting and reminders to promote attendance . Per cent participation was low , with about 20 % participating in the desired fitness center sessions by the end of the program . As a result of low participation , no differences were detected beween experimental and control groups on indicators of cardiovascular fitness . In postprogram interviews , conflicts with work and school events were the most commonly reported reasons for nonattendance . We concluded that because of difficulties in at tendance , center-based programs appear to have limited value as the sole modality for intervention in public health programs for promoting physical activity among healthy
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 .