title: The effectiveness of distance interventions for increasing physical activity: a review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the effectiveness of distance physical activity interventions to establish intervention features that are key to success.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computerized searches for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of distance physical activity interventions and visual scans of reference lists were performed between March 2004 and July 2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were included if they (1) employed a randomized controlled design, (2) encouraged physical activity in adults, and (3) had no face-to-face contact between participants and researchers or health educators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two studies were found that met the inclusion criteria. Authors assessed the quality of the studies and coded articles according to key intervention features.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review is a systematic narrative review. Heterogeneity and poor study quality made formal meta-analysis inappropriate. Nevertheless, effect sizes were calculated for studies comparing intervention with control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, distance interventions increased physical activity in the short term (between-group effect size range, -.2 to .45). Print medium plus telephone contact was the most effective delivery mode.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poor study quality prevented firm conclusions. However, distance interventions were found to promote physical activity in the short term for some populations. This review provided limited support for the efficacy of distance exercise interventions and revealed limitations of the extant literature. Expansion of RCT research into distance approaches to promoting physical activity is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. affrica.jenkins@anu.edu.au
authors.forename: Affrica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Janine G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dear
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011177:Postal Service; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013689:Telephone; D013997:Time Factors