The effects of weekly motivational phone calls on the amount of leisure sports activities and changes in physical fitness

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether motivational weekly phone calls are able to promote overall and/or leisure physical activity levels and fitness in an urban population of Romania. Material: Sixty-five adult subjects (30 males and 35 females) were randomly selected and followed over the 8-month study period. Total physical activity and changes in body mass and body mass index (kg/m 2) were recorded on a monthly basis. Fitness level was assessed by the participants themselves using three standardized motor tests: push-up test, 1-minute sit-up test and 3-minute step test. Results: The intervention resulted in an increase of physical activity level by approximately 70% in males and females aged 25-39 years. In those aged 40-49 years physical activity levels were enhanced by 77% in males and 18% in females. These changes were associated with improvements (25-31%; p < 0.01) in fitness levels. Changes in physical activity over the 8-month intervention period were negatively correlated with body mass index (r =-0.721, p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that motivation by regular phone calls was highly effective in increasing leisure sports activities and improving fitness levels in young and middle-aged adults of both sexes.