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Does primary care referral to an exercise programme increase physical activity one year later? A randomized
Roger A Harrison1, Chris Roberts, Peter J Elton
1Bolton Primary Care Trust, St Peters House, Silverwell Street, Bolton BL1 1PP, UK. roger.harrison@bolton.nhs.uk
Journal of Public Health (Oxford, England)
|November 27, 2004
Summary
Primary care exercise referral schemes showed a significant short-term increase in physical activity at 6 months but not at 1 year. These community-based interventions may not lead to sustained health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Exercise Medicine
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Sedentary lifestyles are a major public health concern.
- Primary care settings offer opportunities to promote physical activity.
- Exercise referral schemes aim to increase physical activity in sedentary individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a primary care exercise referral scheme on increasing physical activity.
- To assess physical activity levels at 1 year post-referral.
Main Methods:
- A two-group randomized controlled trial was conducted.
- Participants were sedentary patients referred from primary care.
- Intervention group received referral and information; control group received information only.
Main Results:
- A significant 10% increase in physical activity was observed at 6 months (22.6% vs 13.6%).
- At 12 months, a non-significant 5% increase in physical activity was noted (25.8% vs 20.4%).
- Increased satisfaction with information did not correlate with physical activity adherence.
Conclusions:
- Community-based physical activity referral schemes show short-term impact on reducing sedentary behavior.
- The observed effects are unlikely to be sustained long-term.
- These schemes may not lead to significant health benefits due to lack of sustained adherence.