Randomized trial of three strategies to promote physical activity in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate three strategies for promoting physical activity (PA) in a primary care setting.


METHODS
Data were collected between 2002 and 2004 from 136 patients attending two general practices in Brisbane, Australia. Inactive patients (50-70 years) were randomly allocated to one of three hierarchical intervention groups: the general practitioner (GP) group received 'brief' advice; the GP+ES group also received behavior change advice from an exercise scientist (ES); and the GP+ES+P group also received a pedometer. Self-reported PA and its determinants were measured at baseline and weeks 12 and 24. Cardio-respiratory variables were measured at baseline and week 12.


RESULTS
Overall, mean PA time increased by 84 and 128 min/week at weeks 12 and 24 (p<.01) with no significant group differences. Small improvements in blood pressure and post-exercise heart rate were observed. At week 24, the GP+ES+P group were more likely to report meeting PA guidelines than the GP group (OR=2.39 95% CI: 1.01, 5.64).


CONCLUSIONS
PA levels can be increased in mid- to older-age adults, either by brief advice from motivated GPs alone, or from collaboration between GPs and ESs. The most intense intervention (GP+ES+P) showed the most promising results.
Armit
Christine M
CM
The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia.
Brown
Wendy J
WJ
Marshall
Alison L
AL
Ritchie
Carrie B
CB
Trost
Stewart G
SG
Green
Anita
A
Bauman
Adrian E
AE
D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011793:Queensland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires