Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41584193›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in public health2025

Physical activity preferences across demographic groups: a systematic review of population-based evidence and implications for public health and intervention design.

Carlos Martín-Martínez, Miriam García-González, Juan-José Mijarra-Murillo, José-Manuel Delfa-de-la-Morena

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Carlos Martín-MartínezDepartment of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Miriam García-GonzálezDepartment of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Juan-José Mijarra-MurilloDepartment of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
José-Manuel Delfa-de-la-MorenaDepartment of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone of public health; however, participation rates remain below recommended levels worldwide. Understanding PA preferences across demographic groups can support the development of more engaging and sustainable interventions. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420250650308). Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (WoS) from inception to September 2025. Studies were included if they assessed PA preferences using validated instruments in general populations and excluded if they were qualitative, clinical, or lacked explicit preference assessment. Two reviewers independently extracted data on demographics, preference patterns, instruments, and study quality using a standardized template. Methodological quality was evaluated with the AXIS tool. Given heterogeneity across studies, subgroup analyses were conducted by age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Results: Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria. Younger individuals preferred high-intensity, competitive, and social activities, whereas older adults favored low-impact, health-oriented, and independent forms of exercise. Males preferred competitive and strength-based activities, while females favored endurance and group-based options. Socioeconomic factors influenced choices, with lower-income groups more often engaging in community-based and supervised activities. Validated instruments, including the Activity Preference Assessment (APA), Decisional Preference in Exercising Test (DPEX), and Questionnaire on Physical Activity Preferences (QPAP), showed strong reliability and validity. Conclusion: Integrating preference assessment into public health strategies can enhance participation and long-term adherence to active lifestyles. Tailoring interventions to demographic-specific preferences may improve the effectiveness and equity of physical activity promotion. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420250650308, Identifier: CRD420250650308.

Indexed as

ExercisePublic HealthDemographyFemaleHumansMaledemographic factorsexercise behaviorhealth promotionphysical activity adherencepopulation health managementsedentary behavior

Identifiers

PMID41584193
PMCPMC12827602

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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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 Socratic graph.