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Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
A RE-AIM evaluation of theory-based physical activity interventions.
Iina Antikainen1, Rebecca Ellis
1Department of Kinesiology and Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology
|May 12, 2011
Summary
Physical activity interventions often lack real-world applicability. More research is needed on external validity factors to ensure interventions reach diverse populations effectively.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Physical activity interventions effectively modify behavior but their real-world adoption is understudied.
- Translational research requires understanding how interventions perform outside controlled settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the external validity of 57 theory-based physical activity interventions.
- To identify barriers to the adoption of physical activity interventions in practice.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of 57 theory-based physical activity interventions.
- Assessment using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.
Main Results:
- Interventions focused more on internal than external validity.
- Individual-level components were prioritized over organizational ones in reporting.
- Studies often included healthy, motivated participants, limiting generalizability.
Conclusions:
- Many physical activity interventions face challenges in practical translation due to limited reporting on external validity.
- Further research must detail factors influencing external validity for successful real-world implementation.
- Future interventions should aim for broader applicability across diverse populations.
