Objectives: Program method, program deliverer and participant preference may be important factors in increasing physical activity adherence and program effectiveness. To investigate this, we compared two physical activity interventions in middle-aged adults. Methods: Using a pragmatic quasi-experimental design, sedentary community dwelling 50 -65 year olds (n = 2105) were recruited to a non-randomized 6-month community group exercise program (n = 93) or a physiotherapist-led home-based physical activity program (n = 65). The primary outcome was physical activity adherence derived from exercise diaries. Secondary outcomes included the Active Australia Survey, aerobic capacity (steptest), quality of life (SF-12v2), blood pressure, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index. Results: Home-based participants were more likely to be younger, working full-time and not in a relationship (p < 0.05). Thirty-three percent of the group participants attended ≥ 70% of group exercise sessions. Ninety percent of home-based participants received ≥ 4 of the planned 6 telephone support calls. Intention-to-treat analysis found adherence to the physical activity sessions prescribed was the same for both interventions (26% ± 28% vs. 28% ± 35%). Both interventions significantly increased the number of participants achieving self-reported "sufficient" physical activity (p ≤ 0.001) and significantly decreased waist circumference (p < 0.001) and WHR (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The physiotherapistled home-based physical activity program, requiring few resources, appears to have increased the adoption of physical activity and adherence to physical activity program requirements for sedentary middle-aged adults. The home-based program, providing equivalent health benefits to the group exercise program, may be particularly suitable for those not interested in or unable to attend a group exercise program. Clinical Trial Registration number Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ACTRN126 1000890932.

The barriers, enablers and preferences indicate that the physiotherapist-led home-based physical activity program with initial face-to-face contact and telephone support may increase the adoption and maintenance of physical activity in middle-aged adults, particularly for those not interested in, or unable to attend, group exercise.

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BackgroundIt is well recognised that the adoption and longer term adherence to physical activity by adults to reduce the risk of chronic disease is a challenge. Interventions, such as group and home based physical activity programs, have been widely reported upon. However few studies have directly compared these interventions over the longer term to determine their adherence and effectiveness. Participant preference for home based or group interventions is important. Some evidence suggests that home based physical activity programs are preferred by middle aged adults and provide better long term physical activity adherence. Physiotherapists may also be useful in increasing physical activity adherence, with limited research on their impact.Methods'Physical Activity at Home' is a 2 year pragmatic randomised control trial, with a non-randomised comparison to group exercise. Middle-aged adults not interested in, or unable to attend, a group exercise program will be targeted. Sedentary community dwelling 50-65 year olds with no serious medical conditions or functional impairments will be recruited via two mail outs using the Australian federal electoral roll. The first mail out will invite participants to a 6 month community group exercise program. The second mail out will be sent to those not interested in the group exercise program inviting them to take part in a home based intervention. Eligible home based participants will be randomised into a 6 month physiotherapy-led home based physical activity program or usual care. Outcome measures will be taken at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. The primary outcome is physical activity adherence via exercise diaries. Secondary outcomes include the Active Australia Survey, accelerometry, aerobic capacity (step test), quality of life (SF-12v2), blood pressure, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and body mass index. Costs will be recorded prospectively and qualitative data will be collected.DiscussionThe planned 18 month follow-up post intervention will provide an indication of the effectiveness of the group and home based interventions in terms of adherence to physical activity, health benefits and cost. If the physiotherapy-led home based physical activity program is successful it could provide an alternative option for physical activity program delivery across a number of settings.Trial registrationAustralia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12611000890932

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