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 .
Trial of print and telephone delivered interventions to influence walking.
BACKGROUND Both self-help print material s and telephone-assisted counseling have generally proved useful strategies to increase physical activity . This study examined their effectiveness in an intervention aim ed specifically at promoting walking for specific purpose s. METHODS Participants ( n = 399 ) were r and omly allocated to one of two 3-week intervention programs . The Print program comprised multiple mailing of brochures that emphasized walking within the local community environments . The Print plus Telephone program received the same brochures plus three telephone calls . Data collected via mailed self-completed surveys were analyzed by exploring outcomes related to walking for specific purpose s. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the two programs in any of the walking measures . Both groups significantly increased time reported walking for exercise per week [ Print : t(1,277 ) = -3.50 , P < 0.001 ; Print plus telephone : t(1,106 ) = -2.44 , P < 0.016 ] . Significantly , more participants in the Print plus Telephone group reported receiving and reading the material s ( chi2 = 20.11 , P < 0.0001 ) . CONCLUSIONS The intervention programs were more successful at increasing walking for exercise than for any other purpose . The addition of brief telephone support was successful in focusing participants ' attention on the print material s , but did not result in any additional increase in walking
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 .