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 .
Effects of low- and high-intensity home-based exercise training on functional capacity in healthy middle-aged men.
The effects of 12 weeks of home-based exercise training on peak oxygen consumption ( VO2 max ) in healthy sedentary middle-aged men , mean age 49 + /- 6 years , were evaluated . Twenty-one men trained at low intensity , 23 trained at high intensity and 20 were control subjects .  Individually prescribed low- and high-intensity training was performed 5 times per week within a range of 42 to 60 % and 63 to 81 % of baseline VO2 max , corresponding to average heart rates of 102 to 122 and 128 to 148 beats/min , respectively . Caloric expenditure per training session approximated 350 kcal in both groups ; adherence was at least 90 % in both groups . VO2 max increased 8 % in patients who trained at low intensity , 17 % in those who trained at high intensity ( both p less than 0.001 ) , and not at all in control subjects . Low-intensity exercise training at home significantly augments functional capacity in healthy sedentary middle-aged men
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 .