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Published on: March 7, 2019
Long-term effectiveness of interventions promoting physical activity: a systematic review
Falk Müller-Riemenschneider1, Thomas Reinhold, Marc Nocon
1Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, 10098 Berlin, Luisenstrasse 57, Germany.
Preventive Medicine
|August 5, 2008
Summary
This review found that physical activity interventions effectively increase long-term physical activity and fitness in healthy adults. Tailored strategies and booster interventions enhance these positive effects.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Exercise Science
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Assessing the long-term impact of physical activity interventions in healthy adults.
- Identifying key components that contribute to intervention effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the long-term effectiveness of physical activity interventions.
- To identify effective intervention components for sustained behavior change.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of major databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, PsycInfo) from 2001-2007.
- Inclusion of randomized controlled trials with a minimum 12-month duration for healthy adults.
- Independent assessment of study quality (SIGN criteria) and data extraction.
Main Results:
- 25 studies met inclusion criteria from 5508 identified publications.
- Significant gains in weekly energy expenditure (up to 975 kcal) and physical fitness (up to 11%).
- Booster interventions (phone, mail, internet) were utilized in 16 studies.
Conclusions:
- Evidence supports long-term increases in physical activity behavior and fitness.
- Tailored exercise prescription strategies show promise for improving adoption.
- Booster interventions are effective in facilitating long-term adherence to physical activity.
