Translating effective clinic-based physical activity interventions into practice

Abstract

An increasing number of studies report on the efficacy of physical activity interventions conducted in, or in conjunction with, clinical settings. This article reviews the status of the literature with regard to translation to practice and describes methods that will heighten the likelihood of translation. In general, few physical activity programs have been designed for translation, and the diffusion models underlying most reported programs have relied on an assumption of linear diffusion into practice. However, recent developments are encouraging and examples are provided of programs that utilize relationship or systems approaches to translation.