ADHERENCE TO EXERCISE PROGRAMS - RECOMMENDATIONS

Despite the widespread dissemination of information concerning the neg ative health consequences associated with sedentary living, adult phys ical activity in many industrialised nations remains well below recomm ended levels. Approximately 50% of individuals who start an aerobic ex ercise programme will stop within the first 6 months, even though it i s well known that to obtain the health benefits associated with physic al activity, participation must be maintained. Programmes involving th e use of behaviour management techniques appear to increase short term adherence to exercise. Recently, an adherence rate of greater than 95 % over 6 months was achieved in a large group of university employees who participated in aerobic training using a 'behavioural treatment pa ckages' approach. Unfortunately, inconsistencies in the literature on definitions and measurement of adherence make valid comparisons among studies difficult. Also, long term follow-up of behavioural interventi on methods and their effect on exercise adherence is generally lacking . It is likely that strategies to increase physical activity participa tion in the general population will demand multiple levels of interven tion (personal, organisational, environmental and societal) if they ar e to succeed in the long term.