Acceptance and feasibility of semi-standardised physical activity counselling in the conscript Swiss Army

A semi-standardised physical activity counselling intervention was developed for annual repetition courses of the Swiss Army, consisting of poster presentations, group discussions and the selection of individual behavioural targets. Feasibility of the intervention was good, acceptance also. According to telephone interviews carried out after 12 weeks, similar changes in moderate intensity physical activity behaviour were observed in three intervention and three control units with 175 and 167 soldiers respectively. There were indications for effects on vigorous intensity activities and strength training, but they did not quite reach statistical significance. Adaptations have been made in the questionnaires and the intervention material. We believe that the intervention can make an important contribution to addressing physical inactivity in a militia army