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Physical Activity

Interventions to increase physical activity

This map provides structured access to an up to date, robust body of secondary evidence on interventions to increase physical activity. Sources included in the map may provide evidence which addresses the following question: What interventions are effective for increasing physical activity?

Date of last search: August 2024. Next update due: August 2025.

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	Population Groups
Interventions	Adults	Children & Adolescents	Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	General Population	Older adults
Environment / Policy Intervention	Environment / Policy Intervention - Adults Shrestha, N et al (2018) Workplace interventions for reducing sitting at work Husk, K et al (2016) Participation in environmental enhancement and conservation activities for health and well‐being in adults: a review of quantitative and qualitative evidence	Environment / Policy Intervention - Children & Adolescents National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2009) Physical activity for children and young people Ward, A et al (2020) Mobility management to prevent, reduce, or delay driving a car in teenagers Nordbø, ECA et al (2020) Promoting activity participation and well-being among children and adolescents: a systematic review of neighborhood built-environment determinants McArthur, G et al (2018) Individual‐, family‐, and school‐level interventions targeting multiple risk behaviours in young people Langford, R et al (2014) The WHO Health Promoting School framework for improving the health and well‐being of students and their academic achievement	Environment / Policy Intervention - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	Environment / Policy Intervention - General Population National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018) Physical activity and the environment National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2017) Physical activity and the environment update. Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness. Evidence Review 1: Public Transport National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018) Physical activity and the environment update Effectiveness and cost effectiveness Evidence review 2: ‘Ciclovia’ and Street Closures, Trails and Safe Routes to Schools National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018) Physical activity and the environment update Effectiveness and cost effectiveness Evidence review 3: Park, Neighbourhood and Multicomponent Interventions National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2007) Behaviour change: general approaches National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2012) Physical activity: walking and cycling	Environment / Policy Intervention - Older adults
Media Intervention	Media Intervention - Adults Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour Patnode CD et al., (2022) Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Promote a Healthy Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Adults Without Known Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Updated Systematic Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force	Media Intervention - Children & Adolescents Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour	Media Intervention - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations Mosdøl, A et al (2017) Targeted mass media interventions promoting healthy behaviours to reduce risk of non‐communicable diseases in adult, ethnic minorities	Media Intervention - General Population	Media Intervention - Older adults Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour
Exercise programmes	Exercise programmes - Adults Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2014) Physical activity: exercise referral schemes School of Health and Related Research (2013) A systematic review and economic evaluation of exercise referral schemes in primary care: A short report School of Health and Related Research (2012) Physical activity: Brief advice for adults in primary care (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Public Health Intervention Guidance) Shrestha, N et al (2018) Workplace interventions for reducing sitting at work Richards, J et al (2013) Face‐to‐face interventions for promoting physical activity Richards, J et al (2013) Face‐to‐face versus remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical activity Foster C, et al (2013) Remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical activity	Exercise programmes - Children & Adolescents Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour Morgan, EH et al (2020) Caregiver involvement in interventions for improving children's dietary intake and physical activity behaviors	Exercise programmes - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	Exercise programmes - General Population	Exercise programmes - Older adults National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2008) Mental wellbeing in over 65s: occupational therapy and physical activity interventions Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour
National Campaigns	National Campaigns - Adults	National Campaigns - Children & Adolescents National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2009) Physical activity for children and young people	National Campaigns - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	National Campaigns - General Population National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2007) Behaviour change: general approaches	National Campaigns - Older adults
Transport / Active Travel	Transport / Active Travel - Adults Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour	Transport / Active Travel - Children & Adolescents National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2009) Physical activity for children and young people Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour Ward, A et al (2020) Mobility management to prevent, reduce, or delay driving a car in teenagers Nordbø, ECA et al (2020) Promoting activity participation and well-being among children and adolescents: a systematic review of neighborhood built-environment determinants	Transport / Active Travel - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	Transport / Active Travel - General Population National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018) Physical activity and the environment National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2017) Physical activity and the environment update. Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness. Evidence Review 1: Public Transport National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018) Physical activity and the environment update Effectiveness and cost effectiveness Evidence review 2: ‘Ciclovia’ and Street Closures, Trails and Safe Routes to Schools National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2018) Physical activity and the environment update Effectiveness and cost effectiveness Evidence review 3: Park, Neighbourhood and Multicomponent Interventions National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2012) Physical activity: walking and cycling	Transport / Active Travel - Older adults Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour
Behaviour Change Interventions	Behaviour Change Interventions - Adults Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour School of Health and Related Research (2013) A systematic review and economic evaluation of exercise referral schemes in primary care: A short report National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2014) Behaviour change: individual approaches School of Health and Related Research (2012) Physical activity: Brief advice for adults in primary care (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Public Health Intervention Guidance) Freak-Poli, RLA et al (2020) Workplace pedometer interventions for increasing physical activity Shrestha, N et al (2018) Workplace interventions for reducing sitting at work Richards, J et al (2013) Face‐to‐face interventions for promoting physical activity Richards, J et al (2013) Face‐to‐face versus remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical activity Foster C, et al (2013) Remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical activity Patnode CD et al., (2022) Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Promote a Healthy Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Adults Without Known Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Updated Systematic Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Pritchard MW et al., (2022) Perioperative exercise programmes to promote physical activity in the medium to long term: systematic review and qualitative research	Behaviour Change Interventions - Children & Adolescents Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2014) Behaviour change: individual approaches Virgara, R et al (2021) Interventions in outside-school hours childcare settings for promoting physical activity amongst schoolchildren aged 4 to 12 years Neil-Sztramko, SE et al (2021) School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 (Review) Morgan, EH et al (2020) Caregiver involvement in interventions for improving children's dietary intake and physical activity behaviors McArthur, G et al (2018) Individual‐, family‐, and school‐level interventions targeting multiple risk behaviours in young people Langford, R et al (2014) The WHO Health Promoting School framework for improving the health and well‐being of students and their academic achievement	Behaviour Change Interventions - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	Behaviour Change Interventions - General Population National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2020) Behaviour change: digital and mobile health interventions National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2007) Behaviour change: general approaches	Behaviour Change Interventions - Older adults Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour Pritchard MW et al., (2022) Perioperative exercise programmes to promote physical activity in the medium to long term: systematic review and qualitative research
Advice/guidance	Advice/guidance - Adults Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour School of Health and Related Research (2013) A systematic review and economic evaluation of exercise referral schemes in primary care: A short report National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2013) Physical activity: brief advice for adults in primary care School of Health and Related Research (2012) Physical activity: Brief advice for adults in primary care (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Public Health Intervention Guidance) Shrestha, N et al (2018) Workplace interventions for reducing sitting at work	Advice/guidance - Children & Adolescents Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour Morgan, EH et al (2020) Caregiver involvement in interventions for improving children's dietary intake and physical activity behaviors Langford, R et al (2014) The WHO Health Promoting School framework for improving the health and well‐being of students and their academic achievement	Advice/guidance - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	Advice/guidance - General Population	Advice/guidance - Older adults National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2008) Mental wellbeing in over 65s: occupational therapy and physical activity interventions Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour
Multicomponent physical activity interventions	Multicomponent physical activity interventions - Adults Freak-Poli, RLA et al (2020) Workplace pedometer interventions for increasing physical activity Shrestha, N et al (2018) Workplace interventions for reducing sitting at work Richards, J et al (2013) Face‐to‐face interventions for promoting physical activity Richards, J et al (2013) Face‐to‐face versus remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical activity Foster C, et al (2013) Remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical activity	Multicomponent physical activity interventions - Children & Adolescents Virgara, R et al (2021) Interventions in outside-school hours childcare settings for promoting physical activity amongst schoolchildren aged 4 to 12 years Neil-Sztramko, SE et al (2021) School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 (Review) Morgan, EH et al (2020) Caregiver involvement in interventions for improving children's dietary intake and physical activity behaviors McArthur, G et al (2018) Individual‐, family‐, and school‐level interventions targeting multiple risk behaviours in young people Langford, R et al (2014) The WHO Health Promoting School framework for improving the health and well‐being of students and their academic achievement	Multicomponent physical activity interventions - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	Multicomponent physical activity interventions - General Population	Multicomponent physical activity interventions - Older adults
Digital Interventions	Digital Interventions - Adults Freak-Poli, RLA et al (2020) Workplace pedometer interventions for increasing physical activity Richards, J et al (2013) Face‐to‐face interventions for promoting physical activity Richards, J et al (2013) Face‐to‐face versus remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical activity Foster C, et al (2013) Remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical activity Patnode CD et al., (2022) Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Promote a Healthy Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Adults Without Known Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Updated Systematic Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Pritchard MW et al., (2022) Perioperative exercise programmes to promote physical activity in the medium to long term: systematic review and qualitative research	Digital Interventions - Children & Adolescents Morgan, EH et al (2020) Caregiver involvement in interventions for improving children's dietary intake and physical activity behaviors	Digital Interventions - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	Digital Interventions - General Population National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2020) Behaviour change: digital and mobile health interventions	Digital Interventions - Older adults Pritchard MW et al., (2022) Perioperative exercise programmes to promote physical activity in the medium to long term: systematic review and qualitative research
Whole system interventions	Whole system interventions - Adults Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour	Whole system interventions - Children & Adolescents National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2009) Physical activity for children and young people Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour Langford, R et al (2014) The WHO Health Promoting School framework for improving the health and well‐being of students and their academic achievement	Whole system interventions - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	Whole system interventions - General Population National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2012) Physical activity: walking and cycling Baker, PRA et al (2015) Community wide interventions for increasing physical activity (Review)	Whole system interventions - Older adults Cancer Care Research Centre, University of Stirling. Alliance for Self Care Research, University of Abertay (2006) A Rapid Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions, Approaches and Models at Individual, Community and Population Level that are aimed at Changing Health Outcomes through Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour
Education Interventions	Education Interventions - Adults Richards, J et al (2013) Face‐to‐face interventions for promoting physical activity Richards, J et al (2013) Face‐to‐face versus remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical activity Foster C, et al (2013) Remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical activity Pritchard MW et al., (2022) Perioperative exercise programmes to promote physical activity in the medium to long term: systematic review and qualitative research	Education Interventions - Children & Adolescents Virgara, R et al (2021) Interventions in outside-school hours childcare settings for promoting physical activity amongst schoolchildren aged 4 to 12 years Neil-Sztramko, SE et al (2021) School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 (Review) Morgan, EH et al (2020) Caregiver involvement in interventions for improving children's dietary intake and physical activity behaviors McArthur, G et al (2018) Individual‐, family‐, and school‐level interventions targeting multiple risk behaviours in young people	Education Interventions - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	Education Interventions - General Population	Education Interventions - Older adults Pritchard MW et al., (2022) Perioperative exercise programmes to promote physical activity in the medium to long term: systematic review and qualitative research
Behaviour Support	Behaviour Support - Adults Pritchard MW et al., (2022) Perioperative exercise programmes to promote physical activity in the medium to long term: systematic review and qualitative research	Behaviour Support - Children & Adolescents	Behaviour Support - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations	Behaviour Support - General Population	Behaviour Support - Older adults Pritchard MW et al., (2022) Perioperative exercise programmes to promote physical activity in the medium to long term: systematic review and qualitative research

Physical Activity

Interventions to increase physical activity

Population Groups

Interventions

Environment / Policy Intervention - Adults

Environment / Policy Intervention - Children & Adolescents

Environment / Policy Intervention - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Environment / Policy Intervention - General Population

Environment / Policy Intervention - Older adults

Media Intervention - Adults

Media Intervention - Children & Adolescents

Media Intervention - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Media Intervention - General Population

Media Intervention - Older adults

Exercise programmes - Adults

Exercise programmes - Children & Adolescents

Exercise programmes - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Exercise programmes - General Population

Exercise programmes - Older adults

National Campaigns - Adults

National Campaigns - Children & Adolescents

National Campaigns - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

National Campaigns - General Population

National Campaigns - Older adults

Transport / Active Travel - Adults

Transport / Active Travel - Children & Adolescents

Transport / Active Travel - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Transport / Active Travel - General Population

Transport / Active Travel - Older adults

Behaviour Change Interventions - Adults

Behaviour Change Interventions - Children & Adolescents

Behaviour Change Interventions - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Behaviour Change Interventions - General Population

Behaviour Change Interventions - Older adults

Advice/guidance - Adults

Advice/guidance - Children & Adolescents

Advice/guidance - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Advice/guidance - General Population

Advice/guidance - Older adults

Multicomponent physical activity interventions - Adults

Multicomponent physical activity interventions - Children & Adolescents

Multicomponent physical activity interventions - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Multicomponent physical activity interventions - General Population

Multicomponent physical activity interventions - Older adults

Digital Interventions - Adults

Digital Interventions - Children & Adolescents

Digital Interventions - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Digital Interventions - General Population

Digital Interventions - Older adults

Whole system interventions - Adults

Whole system interventions - Children & Adolescents

Whole system interventions - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Whole system interventions - General Population

Whole system interventions - Older adults

Education Interventions - Adults

Education Interventions - Children & Adolescents

Education Interventions - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Education Interventions - General Population

Education Interventions - Older adults

Behaviour Support - Adults

Behaviour Support - Children & Adolescents

Behaviour Support - Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations

Behaviour Support - General Population

Behaviour Support - Older adults