The effects of long-term physical activity interventions in communities: Scoping review in the Nordic countries

Abstract

Aims: Physical activity (PA) is an important part of maintaining good overall health. Currently, the number of insufficiently physically active adults and children is alarmingly high worldwide. To tackle the challenge, several interventions have been conducted, however, current knowledge on intervention effectiveness is still inconclusive. This scoping review aimed to summarize the effects of long-term PA interventions across all age groups in the Nordic countries. Methods: A scoping review was conducted by including all age groups and interventions lasting more than 12 months. The aims of the interventions had to focus on increasing PA and/or fitness. The Behaviour Change Wheel framework was used to describe components of the intervention functions. Results: Initially, 1937 studies were identified. Twelve intervention studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. From the included studies, seven focused on children and/or their parents and five on working-age adult populations. Most of the studies built on theoretical backgrounds and included several behaviour change functions. A hindering factor for synthesis was variation in measurement methods: both subjective and objective outcome measures were reported. Among all age groups, intervention effects on PA were modest. Conclusions: There was no clear evidence of increased PA or fitness from long-term interventions in communities. However, even small improvements in PA are important for increasing PA at a population level and enhancing public health. More research is required for evidence-based community and public health planning.

Physical activity and sedentary time after lifestyle interventions at the Norwegian Healthy Life Centres

“…It is unclear if PA interventions are dose-response dependent. A scoping review in communities in the Nordic countries found no additional increase in PA or fitness from long-term (≥12 months) interventions compared with interventions of less duration (Haverinen et al ., 2022 , Samdal et al ., 2017 ). In the present study, 83% of participants attended the HLC interventions for more than three months, therefore, it does not seem likely that additional intervention duration should affect the outcome.…”

Evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of an adapted fencing intervention in breast cancer surgery post-operative care: the RIPOSTE pilot randomized trial

“…To date, despite large evidence on the benefits of PA for people with BC, the extent to which PA programs could be effectively adopted, implemented and sustained remains unclear (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Previous literature has shown mixed results over the long-term impact of interventions on PA practice (16,17).…”

“…To date, despite large evidence on the benefits of PA for people with BC, the extent to which PA programs could be effectively adopted, implemented and sustained remains unclear (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Previous literature has shown mixed results over the long-term impact of interventions on PA practice (16,17). Indeed, several programs have achieved limited success in improving PA among adults, particularly due to a lack of maintenance and sustainability of practice once the intervention ends (18,19).…”

“Where was this when I was in Physical Education?” Physical literacy enriched pedagogy in a quality physical education context

“…With a physical activity approach focused on health outcomes (i.e., meet the guidelines to avoid non-communicable disease), little attention is directed at why we move, and the motivational structures associated with this. Though there exist various approaches to increase physical activity, few long-term successes (limited to efficacy) can be demonstrated ( 3 , 4 ), and part of this failure may be due to a focus on instrumental valuation as opposed to intrinsic valuation of movement ( 5 ). Shifting away from the dehumanizing physical activity promotion strategies to support intrinsic valuation of movement ( 6 ), as exemplified in physical literacy through concurrent development of competence and psychological characteristics such as confidence and motivation ( 7 ), may be a way to support more sustainable behaviour change.…”