Aktiv i Sør: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The Effect of a Tailored Telephone and Email Based Physical Activity Intervention on Physical Fitness and Body Composition: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this regional parallel-group RCT was to assess the effect of a six-month tailored telephone and email based physical activity intervention on various measures of physical fitness and body composition in a sample of physically inactive adults. A total of 111 physically inactive adults (40-55yr) from Agder, Norway were randomly allocated to either an intervention group (IG;n=56) or a no-intervention control group (CG;n=55). The IG received tailored exercise recommendations, every two months by email or mail (print) in addition to motivational follow-ups every second week, alternatively by email and telephone. Primary outcome measures were various objective measures of musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness in addition to various measures of body composition, including waist circumference, body mass index and fat percentage, which were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

Participants were included in the study if they were

• healthy
• between the ages of 40-55
• residents of the Agder counties in Norway
• classified as physically inactive (not fulfill the recommendations for physical activity given by the Norwegian Directorate of Health
• within stage one to three of the five stages of change in the transtheoretical model stages of change

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants were excluded if they were

• Unhealthy/ill
• younger than 40 years or older than 55 years
• living outside the Agder counties in Norway
• allready fulfilling the national recommendations given by the Norwegian Directorate of Health
• within stage four or five of the five stages of change in the transtheoretical model stages of change