Exercise referral: the public health panacea for physical activity promotion? A critical perspective of exercise referral schemes; their development and evaluation

Ergonomics ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (11-14) ◽  
pp. 1390-1410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Dugdill ◽  
Rebecca C. Graham ◽  
Fiona McNair
2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy Whitelaw ◽  
Chris Topping ◽  
Michele McCoy ◽  
Lindsay Turpie

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report and critically reflect on the methodological processes involved in a formal attempt to promote health and social integration in the rarely reported public health domain of physical activity promotion. Design/methodology/approach A quality improvement (QI) methodology was deployed, comprising three elements: a diagnostic tool that assessed strategic and practice positions; a half-day workshop that brought senior leaders together for to reflect this evidence; and a structured process that sought to generate proposals for future integrated action. A mixed-method evaluative approach was used, capturing insights of the integration processes via quantitative and qualitative data collection pre-event, in-event, immediate post-event and at six-month follow-up. Findings Insights suggested that despite some critical concerns, this QI process can be considered as robust, offering pointers to elements required to successfully promote integration in this domain, including the significance of leadership, the preparatory contribution of a diagnostic tool and position paper, the opportunities for active exchange and planning within a workshop situation and the initiation of a process of integrated work via tangible “pledges”. Originality/value The paper offers originality in two respects. Generally, it describes and reflects on the relationship between theoretical and empirical dimensions of a model of integration promotion. Specifically, in offering an account of integrative public health work across health service, local authority and third sector partners, it addressed an area that has received relatively limited prior attention.


Author(s):  
Kristina Marie Kokorelias ◽  
Jacquie Ripat ◽  
C. Allyson Jones ◽  
Nancy E. Mayo ◽  
Nancy M. Salbach ◽  
...  

Safety guidelines resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic may reduce physical activity participation of older adults, particularly prefrail and frail individuals. The objective was to explore older adults’ experiences with physical activity during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, interviews were conducted with 16 older adults. Data were analyzed thematically. Two themes emerged: (a) coming to a standstill and (b) small steps. Participants described that imposed provincial and federal recommendations caused them to reduce their physical activity with negative consequences. As time progressed, participants used emerging public health knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019 to safely increase physical activity. Many participants developed strategies to remain active during the pandemic (e.g., wearing a pedometer, walking outdoors at particular times of day). Findings from this study can better inform the development of programs, clinical practice, and policy for physical activity promotion in older adults during periods of physical distancing and isolation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Laake ◽  
Joanna Fleming

Abstract Background Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing physical activity are efficacious for improving many physical and mental health conditions including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and depression. Reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing physical activity can also be effective at reducing obesity; however, sedentary behaviour and reduced physical activity are also associated with mortality independently. Despite this, most adults in the UK do not currently meet the UK Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines for weekly physical activity. As most adults visit their general practitioner at least once a year, the primary care consultation provides a unique opportunity to deliver exercise referral or physical activity promotion interventions. This is a protocol for a systematic review of randomised controlled trials for the effectiveness of physical activity promotion and referral in primary care. Methods A comprehensive literature search of Embase, MEDLINE (Ovid), Web of Science (Core Collection), Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and The Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) will be conducted for studies with a minimum follow-up of 12 months that report physical activity as an outcome measure (by either self-report or objective measures) including an intention to treat analysis. The authors will screen papers, first by title and abstract and then by full text, independently assess studies for inclusion, appraise risk of bias and extract data. The quality of the evidence will be assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations) approach. The primary outcome will be participation in physical activity at 12 months. Pooled effects will be calculated using random effects models. Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and for presentation at UK national primary care conferences. Discussion This systematic review and meta-analyses will summarise the evidence for the effectiveness of physical activity promotion and referral as interventions for improving physical activity, as well as whether studies using objective measures of physical activity have similar effects to those studies using self-report measures. This knowledge has importance for primary care clinicians, patients and, given the focus of the recent NHS long-term plan on preventive medicine, those making policy decisions. Systematic review registration The protocol is registered with PROSPERO the international prospective register of systematic reviews, ID CRD42019130831


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 863-870
Author(s):  
Kelly Mattran ◽  
Carmen Harris ◽  
Jan Jernigan ◽  
Janet Fulton

Background:The State Indicator Report on Physical Activity, 2010 (SIRPA) and accompanying resources provide information for practitioners to promote physical activity. This study evaluated awareness, access, and use of materials among physical activity practitioners.Methods:A Web-based survey assessed awareness, access and use among respondents. The 26-item questionnaire assessed the usability of products developed by the federal government. Response frequencies and 95% confidence intervals were reported.Results:Response rate was 27% (135 of 508). Awareness of material was from e-mail (35.6%) or partner Websites (37.8%). One-third of respondents (33.3%) accessed materials at least once a month, but 39.3% reported no use. The SIRPA (44.4%) and state-specific action guides (34.1%) were used the most. Materials were used to compare state-specific to national data (57.0%) and to present data to the public (41.5%). Most respondents (83%) reported public health partners as a target audience, and 91.8% were likely to share information in the future.Conclusions:SIRPA awareness was primarily through electronic communication, and two-thirds of respondents used the materials. Respondents accessed materials for state comparisons and public distribution. Increasing the use of federal physical activity promotion materials involves considering design and dissemination features related to the needs of practitioners.


2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antronette K. Yancey ◽  
Jonathan E. Fielding ◽  
George R. Flores ◽  
James F. Sallis ◽  
William J. McCarthy ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann E. Vandenberg ◽  
Rebecca H. Hunter ◽  
Lynda A. Anderson ◽  
Lucinda L. Bryant ◽  
Steven P. Hooker ◽  
...  

Background:Research on walking and walkability has yet to focus on wayfinding, the interactive, problem-solving process by which people use environmental information to locate themselves and navigate through various settings.Methods:We reviewed the literature on outdoor pedestrian-oriented wayfinding to examine its relationship to walking and walkability, 2 areas of importance to physical activity promotion.Results:Our findings document that wayfinding is cognitively demanding and can compete with other functions, including walking itself. Moreover, features of the environment can either facilitate or impede wayfinding, just as environmental features can influence walking.Conclusions:Although there is still much to be learned about wayfinding and walking behaviors, our review helps frame the issues and lays out the importance of this area of research and practice.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (s3) ◽  
pp. S356-S368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky H. Lankenau ◽  
Dianne Culhane ◽  
Maria Stefan

This symposium addressed the importance of selective partnering between public health and other sectors in order to enhance physical activity promotion. The speakers reviewed the potential benefits of partnering, common partnering concerns and their remedies, and important tasks for developing successful partnerships. Key leadership practices and a framework for convening conversations with potential partners were presented. Motivations for industry, trade associations, and other partners to engage with public health to promote physical activity were discussed, and the importance of using stakeholder relationship management to engage partners was emphasized.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 682-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber Dallman ◽  
Eydie Abercrombie ◽  
Rebecca Drewette-Card ◽  
Maya Mohan ◽  
Michael Ray ◽  
...  

Background:Physical activity has emerged as a vital area of public health. This emerging area of public health practice has created a need to develop practitioners who can address physical activity promotion using population-based approaches. Variations in physical activity practitioners' educations and backgrounds warranted the creation of minimal standards to establish the competencies needed to address physical activity as a public health priority.Methods:The content knowledge of physical activity practitioners tends to fall into 2 separate areas—population-based community health education and individually focused exercise physiology. Competencies reflect the importance of a comprehensive approach to physical activity promotion, including areas of community health while also understanding the physiologic responses occurring at the individual level.Results:Competencies are organized under the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's 5 benchmarks for physical activity and public health practice.Conclusions:The greatest impact on physical activity levels may be realized from a well-trained workforce of practitioners. Utilization of the competencies will enable the physical activity practitioner to provide technical assistance and leadership to promote, implement, and oversee evaluation of physical activity interventions.


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