Adherence, Compliance, and Health Risk Factor Changes following Short-Term Physical Activity Interventions

Lynda H. Norton
Kevin I. Norton
Nicole R. Lewis

Open link

Publication date

January 2015

DOI

10.1155/2015/929782

Publisher

Hindawi Limited

ISSN

2314-6133

Journal

2314-6141

Citation count (estimate)

Abstract

Background. Low physical activity (PA) levels are associated with poor health risk factor profiles. Intervention strategies to increase PA and quantify the rate and magnitude of change in risk factors are important. Methods. Interventions were conducted over 40 days to increase PA in 736 insufficiently active (<150 min/wk PA) participants using either a pedometer or instructor-led group protocol. There were a further 135 active participants as controls. Major cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, including fitness parameters, were measured before and after intervention. Results. Adherence to the interventions was higher for the group versus pedometer participants (87.1% versus 79.8%) and compliance rates for achieving sufficient level...