What are the most effective behaviour change techniques to promote physical activity and/or reduce sedentary behaviour in sedentary adults? A systematic review

Purpose: The primary aim is to investigate the most effective behaviour change techniques (BCT) in randomised controlled trials (RCT) of interventions to increase physical activity and/or reduce sedentary behaviour in sedentary adults. Background: A large proportion of the population are not meeting recommended levels of physical activity. Low levels of physical activity are predictive of poor health outcomes and time spent sedentary is related to risk factors independently of physical activity. Building an evidence base of the best approaches to change the behaviour of sedentary individuals is crucial in preventing increased mortality. Methods: Systematic searches have been completed on PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Applied Social Sciences Index (ASSIA), PsycINFO, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), British Nursing Index (BNI), and Health Technology assessment (HTA) databases. The inclusion criteria is only interventions aimed at changing physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour in sedentary adults without chronic conditions, only RCTs, a primary outcome of physical activity or sedentary behaviour, and at least six months post-intervention follow-up. Studies will be coded using the BCT taxonomy v1 and TIDieR guidelines. Study quality will be assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. A narrative synthesis will be conducted and a meta-analysis will be considered if there is sufficient homogeneity across outcomes. Conclusions: 10622 records (after excluding duplicates) have been screened by title and abstract. Full-text versions of 209 records are currently being screened for final inclusion. This review will better inform intervention designers/health professionals targeting sedentary populations.