Interventions to Increase Physical Activity Among Healthy Adults: Meta-Analysis of Outcomes

Abstract

Objective This meta-analysis summarized effects of interventions designed to increase physical activity among healthy adults. Methods Comprehensive searching located 358 reports eligible for inclusion. Random-effects analyses were used to synthesize data. Potential moderator variables were examined with meta-analytic analogues of ANOVA and regression. Moderator variable robustness and publication bias were explored. Results Meta-analytic results were computed from studies including 99,011 subjects. The overall mean effect size (d) for treatment vs. control groups comparisons was 0.19 (higher mean for treatment than control subjects). This 0.19 is consistent with a mean difference of 496 steps/day between treatment and control subjects. Exploratory moderator analyses suggested that the characteristics of the most effective interventions included behavioral interventions instead of cognitive interventions, face-to-face delivery versus mediated interventions (e.g. via telephone, mail, etc.), and targeted individuals instead of communities. Participant characteristics were unrelated to physical activity effect sizes. Substantial between-studies heterogeneity remained beyond individual moderators. Conclusions These findings suggest that interventions designed to increase activity are modestly effective. Findings suggest interventions should emphasize behavioral strategies over cognitive strategies to increase physical activity.

Using theory to develop and test interventions to promote changes in health behaviour: evidence, issues, and recommendations

“…Several reviews suggest that interventions based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT [38] ), the Health Belief Model [39] , Theory of Planned Behaviour [40] or Protection Motivation Theory [41] can achieve small to moderate effects on health behaviours, but there is limited evidence that these changes are explained by changes in the relevant theoretical constructs [42][43][44][45] . Other reviews of experimental evidence [13,46] show limited support for SCT or for the Transtheoretical Model [47] . In addition, most popular theories (SCT, being a notable exception) do not specify how to change constructs to facilitate behaviour change [48] .…”

Effect of a health-improvement pilot programme for older adults delivered by a professional football club: the Burton Albion case study

“…73 Secondly, providing a range of exercise modes and delivery options appears to offer an advantageous approach to recruiting and catering for a diverse range of OA with different PA interests and levels of ability. 74 Thirdly and contrastingly, more attention may have been paid to establishing informal social interaction, so as to enhance both levels of recruitment and engagement in the programme.…”

“…However, while it is important to identify suitable modes of PA, it is also important that the methods used to implement interventions are acceptable to participants. 34 A recent review of PA interventions with a sample of over 99,000 asymptomatic adults identified four key design characteristics for promoting PA. 35 Interventions should be: (1) delivered direct to the participant, (2) use local and familiar settings, (3) adopt behavioural change techniques and methods (4) involve key exercise leaders in the delivery of programmes. Moreover, contemporary public health guidance for OA compliments this knowledge base.…”

Prevalence and Correlates of Family Meals among Families of 3rd Graders

“…Providing tangible aids or strategies may be all that's needed to initiate action. A recent meta-analysis showed that individuals with chronic disease were significantly more successful at increasing their physical activity levels when they received face to face strategies for behavior change, compared to when they were given information intended to change their knowledge and beliefs about physical activity [35].…”