scholarly journals Associated Sociodemographic and Facility Patterning of Uptake, Attendance, and Session Count Within a Scottish Exercise Referral Scheme

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Colin B. Shore ◽  
Gill Hubbard ◽  
Trish Gorely ◽  
Angus M. Hunter ◽  
Stuart D.R. Galloway
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
Withdrawal Rate ◽  
Early Withdrawal ◽  
Sociodemographic Profile ◽  
Exercise Referral ◽  
Exercise Referral Scheme

Background: Exercise referral schemes (ERS) aim to tackle noncommunicable disease via increasing levels of physical activity. Health benefits are reliant on uptake and attending ERS sessions. Hence, it is important to understand which characteristics may influence these parameters to target interventions to improve uptake and attendance to those who need it most. Method: Secondary analysis of one ERS database was conducted to (1) profile participants’ nonuptake of exercise referral; (2) describe any differences between nonattenders and attenders; and (3) report session count of attenders, exploring any relationship between attender demographics and session count. Results: The study showed that (1) sociodemographic profile of nonattenders was very similar to that of those who attended; (2) there was a high, early withdrawal rate of attenders wherein 68% exited the scheme at 5 exercise sessions or less; and (3) session count did not appear to differ by demographic characteristics. Conclusions: Nonattendance and session count did not appear to differ by demographic characteristics. Attendance at ERS was low. Nonuptake and reduced attendance may limit any associated health benefits that may be achieved from ERS. Therefore, it is important to identify additional factors that may influence participants’ choice to uptake and attend ERS.

The Demise of an Australian Physical Activity Alliance

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 795-798
Author(s):  
Rebecca Reynolds ◽  
David Menzies ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Government Funding ◽  
Collective Impact ◽  
Governmental Funding ◽  
Exercise Referral ◽  
Exercise Referral Scheme ◽  
National Physical Activity

Background: Physical activity health promotion coalitions are uncommon but important for beneficial collective impact on public health. The authors sought to obtain the viewpoints of member organizations of an Australian physical activity alliance, the National Physical Activity Alliance. Methods: The authors conducted an online survey regarding member agenda, commitment, and vision for the alliance. Questions were mostly open ended (eg, “What are the 3 areas of priority related to physical activity that you would like The Alliance to focus on?”). A total of 11 Australian organizations involved in physical activity public health (eg, the nongovernment organization Alzheimer’s Australia and the professional fitness association Fitness Australia). Results: 82% of members responded to the survey. Member programs and goals were diverse and overlapping. There was agreement among members that the main priority area for alliance focus was a national exercise referral scheme. Barriers for members achieving their own goals as well as alliance goals focused on governmental issues, including inadequate government funding for physical activity public health. Conclusions: This novel survey highlights the promise and difficulties of a physical activity coalition, with the difficulties, namely lack of governmental funding, resulting in a stagnation of the alliance’s activities since the study was carried out.

scholarly journals A new model of exercise referral scheme in primary care: is the effect on adherence to physical activity sustainable in the long term? A 15-month randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e017211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carme Martín-Borràs ◽  
Maria Giné-Garriga ◽  
Anna Puig-Ribera ◽  
Carlos Martín ◽  
Mercè Solà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Resources ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Exercise Referral ◽  
Exercise Referral Scheme

IntroductionStudies had not yet overcome the most relevant barriers to physical activity (PA) adherence. An exercise referral scheme (ERS) with mechanisms to promote social support might enhance adherence to PA in the long term.SettingA randomised controlled trial in 10 primary care centres in Spain.ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of a primary care-based ERS linked to municipal resources and enhancing social support and social participation in establishing adherence to PA among adults over a 15-month period.Participants422 insufficiently active participants suffering from at least one chronic condition were included. 220 patients (69.5 (8.4) years; 136 women) were randomly allocated to the intervention group (IG) and 202 (68.2 (8.9) years; 121 women) to the control group (CG).InterventionsThe IG went through a 12-week standardised ERS linked to community resources and with inclusion of mechanisms to enhance social support. The CG received usual care from their primary care practice.OutcomesThe main outcome measure was self-report PA with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and secondary outcomes included stages of change and social support to PA practice.Data collectionParticipant-level data were collected via questionnaires at baseline, and at months 3, 9 and 15.BlindingThe study statistician and research assessors were blinded to group allocation.ResultsCompared with usual care, follow-up data at month 15 for the ERS group showed a significant increase of self-reported PA (IG: 1373±1845 metabolic equivalents (MET) min/week, n=195; CG: 919±1454 MET min/week, n=144; P=0.009). Higher adherence (in terms of a more active stage of change) was associated with higher PA level at baseline and with social support.ConclusionsPrescription from ordinary primary care centres staff yielded adherence to PA practice in the long term. An innovative ERS linked to community resources and enhancing social support had shown to be sustainable in the long term.Trial registration numberNCT00714831; Results.

scholarly journals Insufficient Reporting of Factors Associated With Exercise Referral Scheme Uptake, Attendance, and Adherence: A Systematic Review of Reviews

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 667-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin B. Shore ◽  
Gill Hubbard ◽  
Trish Gorely ◽  
Robert Polson ◽  
Angus Hunter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
What Works ◽  
Review Of Reviews ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Exercise Referral ◽  
Exercise Referral Scheme

Background: Exercise referral schemes (ERS) are prescribed programs to tackle physical inactivity and associated noncommunicable disease. Inconsistencies in reporting, recording, and delivering ERS make it challenging to identify what works, why, and for whom. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guided this narrative review of reviews. Electronic databases were searched for systematic reviews of ERS. Inclusion criteria and quality assessed through A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR). Data on uptake, attendance, and adherence were extracted. Results: Eleven reviews met inclusion criteria. AMSTAR quality was medium. Uptake ranged between 35% and 81%. Groups more likely to take up ERS included (1) females and (2) older adults. Attendance ranged from 12% to 49%. Men were more likely to attend ERS. Effect of medical diagnosis upon uptake and attendance was inconsistent. Exercises prescribed were unreported; therefore, adherence to exercise prescriptions was unreported. The influence of theoretically informed approaches on uptake, attendance, and adherence was generally lacking; however, self-determination, peer support, and supervision were reported as influencing attendance. Conclusions: There was insufficient reporting across studies about uptake, attendance, and adherence. Complex interventions such as ERS require consistent definitions, recording, and reporting of these key facets, but this is not evident from the existing literature.

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