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 .
Population-based randomized controlled trial of a stage-targeted physical activity intervention
Background : Intervention trials with self-selected participants have shown that mailed stage-targeted print material s can increase participation in physical activity in the short term . We examined the effects of a mailed stage-targeted print intervention design ed to promote physical activity , in a r and om sample of adults living in a regional city . Method : Participants ( n = 462 , 40–60 years of age ) were r and omly allocated to an intervention in - 227 ) or control group ( n - 235 ) . Measures included vali date d 2-week physical activity recall and stage of motivational readiness for physical activity . The intervention consisted of a single mailing of a letter and full-color stage-targeted booklets ( specific to precontemplation , contemplation , preparation , and action/maintenance ) 1 week postbaseline . Follow-up interviews were conducted at 2 and 6 months postbaseline . Results : After 2 months , participants in the intervention group were significantly More likely to meet the current American College of Sports Medicine/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation for sufficient physical activity than those in the control group ( adjusted odds ratio [ OR ] - 2.40 ; 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] = 1.44–3.99 ) . After 6 months , intervention participants who reported receiving and reading the intervention material s were significantly more likely to be meeting the sufficient physical activity criterion compared with the control group ( adjusted OR = 2.03 ; 95 % Cl = 1.16–3.56 ) . Conclusions : The stage-targeted print intervention was effective in promoting short-term increases in physical activity and was most effective for participants who recognized and used the material s. This low-cost , generalizable intervention has demonstrated potential as a practical population -based physical activity promotion strategy . Further research is required before widespread dissemination would be justified , as additional strategies may be required to ensure sustained change
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 .