ÜBERMAD

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Exercise

Physical activity or exercise in general.

A smiling bearded man in a striped T-shirt, checked shorts and a headband jogs in place on a wooden block.

Studies (12)

  1. Paper

    A tiny daily exercise goal added up to more exercise among those who stayed
    UsedHelped

    Three minutes a day plus two short weekly sessions gave more exercise than two long ones, among those who stayed.

    Randomised trial of 142 UK adults who exercised very little · vs two 30-minute sessions a week · they rated themselves · ⚠ only counted people who finished

  2. Paper

    Exercise logs and video feedback in a sports course got students to exercise more
    UsedHelped

    Students who logged their exercise and got feedback on their videos said they exercised more than the usual class.

    Randomised trial of 308 university students in China · vs the same sports course taught the usual way · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole groups were assigned, not people; numbers unreliable

  3. Paper

    A form-checking exercise app got people with high blood pressure moving more
    UsedHelped

    People who got live feedback on form, reminders and weekly calls said they exercised more than the other group.

    Small randomised trial of 62 inactive adults with high blood pressure · vs the same exercise plan without feedback or calls · they rated themselves · ⚠ numbers unreliable; summary claims more than the results show

  4. Paper

    All four people in coached exercise with weekly pledges came to every session
    UsedNo comparison

    All four people who had coached sessions, weekly pledges and a pin board came to all 24 sessions.

    Very small randomised trial of 6 inactive adults with epilepsy in Iowa · no comparison group · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ groups weren't properly compared

  5. Paper

    Men who planned gym times and trained with coaches were more active
    UsedHelped

    Men who planned set exercise times, laid out gym clothes and trained with coaches moved more than men without it.

    Trial, groups not picked at random of 139 inactive men at a Saudi university · vs men who got no programme · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ numbers unreliable

  6. Paper

    An app that picked exercise for each person didn't get people more active
    UsedNo difference

    An app that picked short home exercise for each person did not get people more active than a plain log.

    Randomised trial of 112 adults who rarely exercised, in France · vs the same app, writing down activity yourself · they rated themselves · ⚠ not yet checked by other scientists; many people dropped out; only counted people who finished; numbers unreliable

  7. Paper

    Only 1 in 11 at-risk workers took up exercise after one health talk
    UsedNo comparison

    About 1 in 11 took up exercise in a year, more often people who already walked or tried to change.

    Large observational study of 16,471 Japanese workers at risk of metabolic syndrome · can't show cause · they rated themselves · ⚠ numbers unreliable; summary claims more than the results show

  8. Paper

    Teaching instructors to make classes more fun didn't build stronger exercise habits
    UsedNo difference

    Showing coaches how to make class fun did not build a stronger habit to go than a talk on training.

    Randomised trial of 132 university sport course members in Germany · vs classes whose instructors learned about training · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole groups were assigned, not people; numbers unreliable; many people dropped out

  9. Paper

    Lessons on exercising at a set time made no clear difference for heart patients
    UsedNo difference

    Group lessons on exercise at a set time with cues at home made no clear change to weekly exercise.

    Very small randomised trial of 13 heart patients starting cardiac rehab in Canada · vs group meetings about healthy eating, same gym · they rated themselves · ⚠ numbers unreliable; summary claims more than the results show

  10. Paper

    Health signs by the stairs got slightly fewer people to take the escalator
    UsedHelped

    With a short health message by the stairs, fewer people took the escalator at all four places.

    Large trial, groups not picked at random of 115,062 people at stairs and escalators · vs times with no sign at the same place · behaviour was recorded

    UsedMixed

    Alone, the design did nothing at first, but after the message it cut escalator use at two of three places.

    Large trial, groups not picked at random of 115,062 people at stairs and escalators · vs times with no sign at the same place · behaviour was recorded

  11. Paper

    Web plans built exercise and diet habits briefly, but not by three months
    UsedMixed

    Plans for when, where and how to move built a stronger habit at 8 weeks, but not at 3 months.

    Randomised trial of 790 adults in Germany and the Netherlands · vs people who were waiting for the programme · they rated themselves · ⚠ many people dropped out; numbers unreliable; summary claims more than the results show

  12. Paper

    A 20-week starting choice led to more good exercise weeks than 8 weeks
    UsedHelped

    People first shown a 20-week contract had more good exercise weeks than those shown 8 weeks: about 4, against 3.

    Large randomised trial of 8,809 adults who set up an online exercise contract · vs people first shown an 8-week contract · they rated themselves · ⚠ not yet checked by other scientists; summary claims more than the results show; numbers unreliable

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