Promoting physical activity in a socially and economically deprived community: a 12 month randomized control trial of fitness assessment and exercise consultation

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of a fitness assessment and exercise consultation on physical activity over 1 year in non-regularly active participants drawn from a socially and economically deprived community. Of 3000 people invited to volunteer for either intervention, 225 fitness assessment volunteers were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group; 145 exercise consultation volunteers were similarly assigned. Physical activity was measured at baseline, 4 weeks, 3 months (plus an intervention re-test), 6 months and 1 year. Analysis of variance and follow-up Bonferroni analysis showed that, for those not regularly active at baseline, physical activity increased significantly to 4 weeks, was maintained to 6 months but had fallen by 1 year. Only those receiving an exercise consultation significantly increased their physical activity after 1 year. Compared with fitness assessments, chi-square analysis showed that significantly more non-regularly active participants volunteered for an exercise consultation and those receiving an exercise consultation had significantly better long-term study adherence than those receiving a fitness assessment. The study also showed that, contrary to popular opinion, those in a socially and economically deprived community are not 'hard to reach' and respond well to physical activity interventions.

Interventions for promoting physical activity

“…Halbert 2000 was not contactable and so this study is not presented in the final results. Four studies sent data but the data was incomplete or inappropriate for meta-analysis (Castro 2001;Lowther 2002a;Lowther 2002b;Nies 2003). After excluding these studies with incomplete data, 29 studies remained (Calfas 2000;Cunningham 1987;Dubbert 2002;Elley 2003;Goldstein 1999;Harland 1999;Hillsdon 2002;Inoue 2003;Juneau 1987;King 1988a;King 1988b;King 1991;Kriska 1986;Lamb 2002;Lombard 1995;Marshall 2003a;Marshall 2004;Norris 2000;Petrella 2003;Reid 1979;Resnick 2002a;SimonsMorton 2001a;Simons-Morton 2001b;Stevens 1998;Stewart 2001;SSCT 2000).…”

Walking for depression or depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Other authors have indicated that pedometers (Baker et al 2008;Bravata et al 2007) or exercise consultations (Lowther et al 2002) could be helpful. Research questions relating to health promotion and treatment adherence in the context of walking interventions for depression remain to be answered.…”

The Effect of Education on Reducing Fast Food Consumption in Obese Iranian Female Adolescents: An Application of the Transtheoretical Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour

“…Reduction in the consumption of fast food plays an important role in the prevention of digestive diseases. Processes of change in Fallon and Lowther M studies were not significant (20,21). In Fallon study, one possible explanation was that those who are able to reach the later stages of change for exercise may have fewer social, familial, and professional demands, and thus leaving more time for exercise in their daily schedules and reducing the need for behavioral strategies.…”