Assessment of the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in the Brazilian Unified Health System

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of interventions on the levels of physical activity of healthyadults, users of the Brazilian Unified Health System and attended by the Family Health Strategy.METHODS: Non-randomized experimental study with 157 adults allocated in three groups:1) physical exercise classes (n = 54), 2) health education (n = 54), 3) control (n = 49). The study lastedfor18 months, with 12 months of interventions and six months of follow-up after intervention.Assessments took place at the beginning, in the 12 months, and in the 18 months of study. Physicalactivity has been assessed by questionnaires and accelerometry. For the analyses, we have usedthe intention-to-treat principle and generalized estimating equations.RESULTS: After 12 months, both intervention groups have increased the minutes of weekly leisuretime physical activity and annual scores of physical exercise, leisure and transport-related physicalactivity. The exercise class group has obtained the highest average annual physical exercisesscore when compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). In the follow-up period, the exercise classgroup reduced its annual score (average: -0.3; 95%CI -0.5–-0.1), while the health education groupincreased this score (average: 0.2; 95%CI 0.1–0.4). There have been no differences in the levels ofphysical activity measured by accelerometry.CONCLUSIONS: The interventions have been effective in increasing the practice of physicalactivity. However, we have observed that the health education intervention was more effectivefor maintaining the practice of physical activity in the period after intervention. We recommendthe use of both interventions to promote physical activity in the Brazilian Unified Health System,according to the local reality of professionals, facilities, and team objectives.