Promoting physical activity is an imperative for public Health. Inactivity is a risk factor of coronary artery disease. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of a physical activity behavior change, maintained 12 month after an intervention.

(1) Increase weekly exercise training volume, (2) decrease BMI and abdominal circumference.

Eighty overweight subjects without involvement in regular physical activity were included, age 57 years±6.5. Professionally active: 55%, hypertension: 89%, dyslipidemia: 67%, diabetes mellitus: 71%, smoker: 25%, history of depression: 27%, stress: 30%, BMI: 33.2±5.8; abdominal circumference 111±14.4cm. After a medical exam with motivation counselling and exercise test, a program of 10 sessions is prescribed. Level of exercise is individually adapted. Each session begin with 2.5hours of exercise (callisthenic, cycling and muscle resistance) followed by relaxation session, walk, cooking lessons, information. Individual smoking and psychological counselling. At the end of the program, an individual goal of “weekly exercise training volume” is determined by the participant with the help of the physiotherapist. To reinforce patient s efforts, 4 phone calls were added plus one recall session at 12 months (training, physician and physiotherapy counselling).

Seventeen dropout (move for retire 6, move 2, illness5, unknown 4) and 63 completed the program. On the basis of this population who answered at the recall, 76% maintained their initial goal. The BMI decreased of 1.3kg/m² and waist circumference decreased of 2cm (from 111±14.4 to 109±22).

Multidisciplinary team of a rehab centre can motivate successfully sedentary overweight individuals to change of lifestyle in prevention of a cardiovascular disease.