Are interventions effective for promoting physical activity?

From: The Cochrane Collaboration

• Foster, C., Hillsdon, M., Thorogood, M., Kaur, A., Wedatilake, T., n.d. Interventions for promoting physical activity, in: The Cochrane Library. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Participants/situation

• 7,598 across 19 studies

Study

• The paper is a systematic review / meta analysis of all relevant trials.
• This means that the data from all similar trials has been grouped to form an overall outcome.

Results

• The findings of this review indicate that professional advice and guidance with continued support can encourage people to be more physically active in the short to mid-term.

Editors Notes

• The authors point out that not taking enough physical activity leads to an increased risk of a number of chronic diseases including coronary heart disease. Regular physical activity can reduce this risk and also provide other physical and possibly mental health benefits. 

Keywords

• Exercise, Health Promotion, Physical Fitness