title: The effectiveness of community based physical activity interventions with Aboriginal peoples.
abstract: Though historically rare, Aboriginal individuals continue to experience greater levels of cardiovascular disease than the general Canadian population. Increasing evidence indicates rising sedentary behaviors from the traditional healthy and active lifestyles of this population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This investigation aimed to examine the health benefits of a community-based physical activity intervention for Aboriginal Canadians.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2007-2010, 273 participants from the province of British Columbia, Canada were recruited through 21 Aboriginal communities representing male and females of wide ranging ages and health statuses. Participants attended identical testing of body composition, blood pressure, total and high density lipoprotein cholesterols, and physical activity behavior pre-and post-training. Participants completed one of three self-selected 13 week interventions: walking (n=149), walk/running (n=86), or running (n=27).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Improvements in health measures were observed for both male and female participants of all age groups and all three training programs. Male and female participants' improvements included waist circumference: 2.7 cm and 2.2 cm, total cholesterol: 0.18 mmol/L and 0.12 mmol/L, and systolic blood pressure: 2.6mm Hg and 1.5mm Hg, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The self-selected intensities program was successful in improving health status and physical activity for Aboriginal adults of all ages, genders and activity programs.
authors: Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Osborne Unit II room 128, 6108 Thunderbird Blvd, Vancouver, Canada. heatherfoulds@telus.net
authors: Heather J A
authors: HJ
authors: Foulds
authors: Shannon S D
authors: SS
authors: Bredin
authors: Darren E R
authors: DE
authors: Warburton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001955:British Columbia / Q000208:ethnology; D019058:Community Networks; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D044382:Population Groups; D055815:Young Adult