Effectiveness of physical activity counseling and referral schemes in the leisure time physical activity of an elderly cohort: a randomized controlled trial

INTERVENTION: Behavioural Experimental group 1: 25 elderly of both sexes were given a standard counter‐referral form (with a general recommendation for physical activity, along with the other recommendations) and a session of brief physician advice (specific to physical activity) oral and written. Experimental group 2: 33 elderly of both sexes were given a standard counter‐referral form (with a general recommendation for physical activity, along with the other recommendations), three sessions of individual counseling with a professional physical education (according to the level physical activity, physical fitness and preferences volunteer) and referral to a physical activity program near his residence. Control group: 84 elderly of both sexes were given a standard counter‐referral form (with a general recommendation for physical activity, along with the other recommendations). F01.145.632 F02.784.176 G11.427.590.530.698.277 HP3.040.205 CONDITION: F01.145.632 G11.427.590.530.698.277 Leisure‐Time physical activity ; F01.145.632 ; G11.427.590.530.698.277 PRIMARY OUTCOME: Increase in average minutes per week of physical activity during leisure time (min/week) in the period 03 (post intervention 1) and 06 months (póst intervention 2) verified by application of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) from the realization of a range of at least 5% in pre and post intervention 1 and 2 measurements. When comparing the differences of the means of minutes of physical activity per week between the groups was observed that in the post‐intervention 1 time there was a significant difference between Experimental Group 2 and Control Group(+148min/week, p <0.000) and between the Experimental Group 2 and Experimental Group 1 (+118min/week, p <0.008) and this difference remained in the post‐intervention 2 (+140min/week, p <0.000 and +108min/week, p <0.019 respectively). There was no statistical difference between the means of minutes of Experimental Group 1 and Control Group in no time evaluation. SECONDARY OUTCOME: It was not observed secondary outcomes. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 142 people aged over 60 who were part of EPIDOSO / UNIFESP Project were included; who answered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire ‐ IPAQ at baseline (2008 and 2009) and had no impediments to regular physical activity.