Randomised controlled trials of physical activity promotion in free living populations: a review.

M Hillsdon, M Thorogood, T Anstiss and J Morris

Occupational Health Department, West London Healthcare NHS Trust, Southall, Middlesex.

OBJECTIVES--To review evidence on the effectiveness of trials of physical activity promotion in healthy, free living adults. To identify the more effective intervention programmes. METHODS--Computerised databases and references were searched. Experts were contacted and asked for information about existing work. INCLUSION CRITERIA--Randomised controlled trials of healthy, free living adult subjects, where exercise behaviour was the dependent variable were included. CONCLUSIONS--Ten trials were identified. The small number of trials limits the strength of any conclusions and highlights the need for more research. No UK based studies were found. Previously sedentary adults can increase activity levels and sustain them. Promotion of these changes requires personal instruction, continued support, and exercise of moderate intensity which does not depend on attendance at a facility. The exercise should be easily included into an existing lifestyle and should be enjoyable. Walking is the exercise most likely to fulfil these criteria.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Little, P., Lewith, G., Webley, F., Evans, M., Beattie, A., Middleton, K., Barnett, J., Ballard, K., Oxford, F., Smith, P., Yardley, L., Hollinghurst, S., Sharp, D. (2008). Randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain. BMJ 337: a884-a884 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Yardley, L., Bishop, F. L., Beyer, N., Hauer, K., Kempen, G. I. J. M., Piot-Ziegler, C., Todd, C. J., Cuttelod, T., Horne, M., Lanta, K., Holt, A. R. (2006). Older People's Views of Falls-Prevention Interventions in Six European Countries.. Gerontologist 46: 650-660 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Hardeman, W., Sutton, S., Griffin, S., Johnston, M., White, A., Wareham, N. J., Kinmonth, A. L. (2005). A causal modelling approach to the development of theory-based behaviour change programmes for trial evaluation. Health Educ Res 20: 676-687 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Probst, V. S., Troosters, T., Coosemans, I., Spruit, M. A., Pitta, F. d. O., Decramer, M., Gosselink, R. (2004). Mechanisms of Improvement in Exercise Capacity Using a Rollator in Patients With COPD. Chest 126: 1102-1107 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Thomas, N, Alder, E, Leese, G P (2004). Barriers to physical activity in patients with diabetes. Postgrad. Med. J. 80: 287-291 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Furukawa, F., Kazuma, K., Kawa, M., Miyashita, M., Niiro, K., Kusukawa, R., Kojima, M. (2003). Effects of an Off-Site Walking Program on Energy Expenditure, Serum Lipids, and Glucose Metabolism in Middle-Aged Women. Biol Res Nurs 4: 181-192 [Abstract]  
• Hurley, M V (2002). Muscle, exercise and arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 61: 673-675 [Full Text]  
• Lawlor, D A, Taylor, M, Bedford, C, Ebrahim, S (2002). Is housework good for health? Levels of physical activity and factors associated with activity in elderly women. Results from the British Women's Heart and Health Study. J. Epidemiol. Community Health 56: 473-478 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Tudor-Locke, C. E., Myers, A. M., Rodger, N. W. (2001). Development of a Theory-Based Daily Activity Intervention for Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes. The Diabetes Educator 27: 85-93 [Abstract]  
• Ashley, A., Steel, M., Bartlett, H. (2001). The profile, motivations and challenges for volunteers on health walks schemes based in primary care. Health Education Journal 60: 265-274 [Abstract]  
• Kerse, N., Walker, S., Petrovic, M., Corson, J., Miles, L., Williams, E., Fielder, H., Smith, F., Sims, J., Mutrie, N., Woods, C., Lowther, M., Blamey, A., Loughlan, C., Critchley, J., Isaacs, A. J, Rosenthall, R., Honeybell, L., Smith, C., Baker, P. J S, McMurdo, M., Reeves, M., Harland, J., White, M., Howel, D., Drinkwater, C., Chinn, D., Craig, A., Dinan, S., Smith, A., Taylor, A., Webborn, N. (2000). The Newcastle exercise project. BMJ 320: 1470-1470 [Full Text]  
• Carnall, D. (2000). Cycling and health promotion. BMJ 320: 888-888 [Full Text]  
• Chambers, R., Chambers, C., Campbell, I. (2000). Exercise promotion for patients with significant medical problems. Health Education Journal 59: 90-98 [Abstract]  
• Woolf-May, K., Kearney, E. M., Owen, A., Jones, D. W., Davison, R. C. R., Bird, S. R. (1999). The efficacy of accumulated short bouts versus single daily bouts of brisk walking in improving aerobic fitness and blood lipid profiles. Health Educ Res 14: 803-815 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Steptoe, A., Doherty, S., Rink, E., Kerry, S., Kendrick, T., Hilton, S., Day, S. (1999). Behavioural counselling in general practice for the promotion of healthy behaviour among adults at increased risk of coronary heart disease: randomised trial • Commentary: Treatment allocation by the method of minimisation. BMJ 319: 943-948 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kerse, N. M, Flicker, L., Jolley, D., Arroll, B., Young, D. (1999). Improving the health behaviours of elderly people: randomised controlled trial of a general practice education programme. BMJ 319: 683-687 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Lumsdon, L., Mitchell, J. (1999). Walking, transport and health: do we have the right prescription?. HEALTH PROMOT INT 14: 271-280 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Sims, J, Smith, F, Duffy, A, Hilton, S (1999). The vagaries of self-reports of physical activity: a problem revisited and addressed in a study of exercise promotion in the over 65s in general practice. Fam Pract 16: 152-157 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Gauvin, L., Rejeski, W. J., Norris, J. L., Lutes, L. (1997). The Curse of Inactivity: Failure of Acute Exercise to Enhance Feeling States in a Community Sample of Sedentary Adults. J Health Psychol 2: 509-523 [Abstract]  
• Fletcher, G. F., Balady, G., Blair, S. N., Blumenthal, J., Caspersen, C., Chaitman, B., Epstein, S., Froelicher, E. S. S., Froelicher, V. F., Pina, I. L., Pollock, M. L. (1996). Statement on Exercise: Benefits and Recommendations for Physical Activity Programs for All Americans: A Statement for Health Professionals by the Committee on Exercise and Cardiac Rehabilitation of the Council on Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association. Circulation 94: 857-862 [Full Text]