ReviewBMC public health2015
Understanding for whom, under what conditions, and how group-based physical activity interventions are successful: a realist review.
Review in BMC public health, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 39 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
39 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- The effectiveness and usability of online, group-based interventions for people with severe obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of obesity (2005) · 2025Pooled it
- Preventing Type 2 Diabetes after Gestational Diabetes: A Systematic Review Mapping Physical Activity Components using the Socio-Ecological Model.Maternal and child health journal · 2024Pooled it
- The association between the built environment and intervention-facilitated physical activity: a narrative systematic review.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2022Pooled it
- Group-based physical activity interventions for postpartum women with children aged 0-5 years old: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.BMC women's health · 2021Pooled it
- Effectiveness of Physical Activity Interventions among Rural Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology · 2021Pooled it
- Group-based exercise interventions for increasing physical activity in cancer survivors: a systematic review of face-to-face randomized and non-randomized trials.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2019Pooled it
- Effects of remote group-based exercise on physical activity and well-being in postpartum women: a randomized controlled trial.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2026Trial
- A qualitative longitudinal study of motivation in the REtirement in ACTion (REACT) physical activity intervention for older adults with mobility limitations.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2023Trial
- Results from "Developing Real Incentives and Volition for Exercise" (DRIVE): A pilot randomized controlled trial for promoting physical activity in African American women.Journal of consulting and clinical psychology · 2022Trial
- Use of an Integrated Research-Practice Partnership to Improve Outcomes of a Community-Based Strength-Training Program for Older Adults: Reach and Effect of Lifelong Improvements through Fitness Together (LIFT).International journal of environmental research and public health · 2018Trial
- Effects of short-term step aerobics exercise on bone metabolism and functional fitness in postmenopausal women with low bone mass.Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2017Trial
- Approach to personalizing the treatment of osteoporosis.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2026Review
- Are Group Interventions Effective at Improving Health Outcomes in Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Populations With Chronic Conditions? An Umbrella Review.Journal of immigrant and minority health · 2026Review
- Physical activity partners for women with cardiovascular disease risk: Proof-of-concept trial with daily assessment.Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association · 2026Article
- Feasibility and acceptability of an adapted community-based cardiovascular disease prevention program: a pilot study of the StrongPeople strong hearts intervention for women living in urban settings.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Evaluation of the utility of group-based physical activity among university students: a systematic review protocol.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Physical activity prevalence and associated factors among Zimbabwean undergraduate students: A cross-sectional study.PLOS global public health · 2025Article
- Reducing LGBTQ+ adolescent mental health inequalities: a realist review of school-based interventions.Journal of mental health (Abingdon, England) · 2024Review
- A natural experiment to determine if FitEx works: Impact of a statewide walking program.Translational behavioral medicine · 2024Article
- Adaptations to a statewide walking program: Use of iterative feedback cycles between research and delivery systems improves fit for over 10 years.Translational behavioral medicine · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundParticipation in group-based physical activity (GBPA) interventions has been found to result in higher levels of exercise adherence and program compliance. However, previous reviews of GBPA programs have provided limited insight regarding 'for whom', 'under what conditions', and 'how' these interventions increase physical activity behavior.
methodsA realist review was conducted by following the seven recommended iterative and overlapping steps (J Health Serv Res Policy 10S1:21-34, 2005). The review was limited to group dynamics-based interventions for adults (>17 years of age). The search was conducted in PubMed, PsychInfo, and Web of Science search engines associated with the Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, Arts & Humanities Citation Index, and MEDLINE.
resultsUsing a realist review approach, data from 52 studies were synthesized. Of those, 92% (n = 48) reported significant increases in participant physical activity. The synthesis resulted in three main observations and recommendations. DISCUSSION: GBPA interventions have worked for a variety of populations, including those who are hard to reach; however, more research is needed on moderating factors to determine for whom different GBPA programs may be effective. Second, previous interventions have varied in the duration, frequency, and number of group-based strategies used, and comparative effectiveness research may be necessary to isolate the mechanisms of effect. Third, these interventions have been conducted in a diverse range of settings, using a variety of research designs and analytical approaches. Less information is known about the costs or sustainability of these programs in their intended settings.
conclusionThe results of this realist review have important implications for practice, refining trial designs, and replication across diverse populations and settings.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.