A Scoping Review of Exercise Referral Schemes Involving Qualified Exercise Professionals in Primary Health Care

Author(s):  
Myles W. O'Brien ◽  
Nick W. Bray ◽  
Matthew J. Kivell ◽  
Jonathon R Fowles

Qualified exercise professionals (QEPs) have the training, knowledge, and scope of practice to effectively provide physical activity counselling, prescribe exercise, and deliver exercise programming to patients with or without chronic diseases. Healthcare providers identify an interest in referring patients to QEPs; however, the impact of exercise referral schemes (ERS) involving QEPs on patients’ physical health is unclear. A scoping review regarding the available evidence of ERS involving healthcare provider referrals to QEPs was performed. A literature search was conducted in six databases (initially: n=6011 articles), yielding n=23 articles examining QEP delivered physical activity counselling (n=7), QEP supervised exercise training (n=4), or some combination (n=12). Although studies were heterogeneous in methods, procedures, and populations, ERSs increased patients’ subjective physical activity levels. Few studies incorporated objective physical activity measures (n=5/23), and almost half measured aerobic fitness (n=11/23). ERS involving a QEP that includes activity counselling and/or exercise programming/training report favourable impacts on patients’ subjectively measured physical activity and objectively measured aerobic fitness. Based on the existing literature on the topic, this scoping review provides recommendations for designing and/or evaluating ERS with QEPs that include: objective measures, long-term follow-up, QEP qualifications, and the cost-effectiveness of ERS. Novelty: • ERS involving QEPs report increased patients’ perceived physical activity level and may improve patients’ cardiorespiratory fitness. • Promoting the collaboration of QEPs with other healthcare providers can enhance patients’ physical fitness and health. • This scoping review provides recommendations for the design and evaluation of ERS involving QEPs.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre-Charles Gauthier ◽  
Marie-Eve Mathieu

Introduction Taste is a key sensory modulator of eating behaviour and thus energy intake. The effects of acute exercise has recently been confirmed especially regarding sweet and salty tastes. Physical activity is a safe and effective countermeasure to certain types of chemosensory losses, especially in older populations. Knowing that taste can be impaired with increased adiposity, it is unknown if the adoption of an active lifestyle on a regular basis can mitigate such impairments. Methods Data were extracted from NHANES 2013-2014 database. Perception of salt and bitter tastes for Tongue Tip Test and Whole Mouth Test, physical activity levels over an 8-9-day period and adiposity were analyzed. Moderation analyses were used to study the impact of adiposity on taste perceptions, with physical activity level as the moderator. Results The 197 participants (130 males) included in this project had a mean+/-standard deviation age of 49.1+/-5.2 years, a mean body fat percentage of 31.7+/-7.6% and mean daily physical activity levels of 11 084+/-3531 Monitor-Independent Movement Summary unit (MIMS). The positive association between adiposity and both bitter Tongue Tip Test and overall result (salt+bitter) of Tongue Tip Test were moderated by the adoption of an active lifestyle, with better taste scores observed in individuals achieving higher physical activity levels. When moderation analysis were stratified by gender, the effect of physical activity was no longer significant. Perspectives This study is the first to evaluate the influence of an active lifestyle on the preservation of some taste perceptions across a wide range of adiposity levels. While differences in taste can be observed regarding body fat percentage, physical activity moderates that relation only when men and women are analysed together.


2002 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle D. Fortier ◽  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk ◽  
Claude Bouchard

Associations among baseline physical activity, aerobic fitness, changes in physical activity, and 7-y changes in adiposity were determined. The sample consisted of 602 males and 644 females, aged 20-69 y, from the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey and the 1988 Campbell's Survey. Questionnaire-derived measures of physical activity level consisted of activity energy expenditure (AEE) and time spent on physical activity. Participants were grouped into physical activity level categories by AEE and physical activity intensity (based on MET values), and physical activity level changes were determined from movement between tertiles of AEE from baseline to follow-up. Aerobic fitness levels at baseline were determined using the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test. Changes in body mass, the sum of five skinfolds (SF5), and waist circumference (WC) were used as indicators of adiposity change. ANCOVA and multiple regression analyses indicated that neither baseline physical activity levels, intensity, physical activity change categories, nor aerobic fitness levels were significant predictors of changes in adiposity. In conclusion, physical activity was not predictive of 7-y changes in indicators of adiposity in this sample. Key words: weight gain, longitudinal study, obesity, lifestyle


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e035888
Author(s):  
Ellen Eimhjellen Blom ◽  
Eivind Aadland ◽  
Ane Kristiansen Solbraa ◽  
Line Merethe Oldervoll

ObjectivesIndividuals with low socioeconomic status and multimorbidity tend to have lower physical activity (PA) levels than the general population. Primary care is an important setting for reaching high-risk individuals to support behaviour change. This study aimed to investigate the impact of behaviour change interventions delivered by Norwegian Healthy Life Centres (HLCs) on participants’ PA levels, aerobic fitness and obesity, and furthermore to investigate possible predictors of change.DesignAn observational study with a pre–post design and a 3-month follow-up.SettingThirty-two HLCs in Norway were included.ParticipantsA total of 713 participants (72% of the participants included at baseline), 71% women, with a mean age of 51 (18–87 years) and body mass index (BMI) of 32 (SD 7) met to follow-up.InterventionIndividual consultations and tailored individual and group-based exercise and courses organised by the HLCs and cooperating providers.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome was time spent in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA, min/day) (ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer). The secondary outcomes were light PA (LPA, min/day), number of steps per day, time spent sedentary (SED, min/day), aerobic fitness (submaximal treadmill test, min), BMI (kg/m2) and waist circumference (WC, cm).ResultsThere was no change in MVPA (B 1.4, 95% CI −0.4 to 3.1) after 3 months. The participants had improved LPA (4.0, 95% CI 0.5 to 7.5), increased number of steps (362, 95% CI 172 to 552), reduced SED (−5.6, 95% CI −9.8 to –1.3), improved fitness (0.8, 95% CI 0.6 to 1.0), reduced BMI (−0.2, 95% CI −0.1 to –0.3) and reduced WC (−1.7, 95% CI −2.0 to –1.3). Positive predictors of change were number of exercise sessions completed per week, duration of adherence to HLC offers and participation in exercise organised by HLC.ConclusionParticipation in the HLC interventions had small positive impacts on participants’ PA levels, aerobic fitness and obesity. Further research to develop effective behaviour change programmes targeting individuals with complex health challenges is needed.Trial registration numberNCT03026296.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant M. Hill ◽  
Bernard D. Goldfine ◽  
Kandice J. Porter ◽  
Zenong Yin

e purposes of this research were to determine whether participation in a university elective instruction-al physical activity program course (IPAP) would increase the weekly physical activity level of students and resultin a signi cantly higher score on the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Treatment-group participantswere enrolled in an elective IPAP course that was either sport-based (e.g., volleyball, tennis) or physical condi-tioning-based (e.g., aerobic/strength training). Control-group participants (N=180) were students from the sameuniversities who were not enrolled during that term in an IPAP course. Student responses to the Godin-ShephardLeisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire indicated within-group changes in pre vs. post physical activity thatwere signi cant for the treatment group, but not the control group. Results indicate participation in an IPAPcourse signi cantly increases the physical activity levels of students and also signi cantly increases the physical activ-ity enjoyment of students with the most sedentary lifestyles.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Puccinelli ◽  
Taline da Costa ◽  
Aldo Seffrin ◽  
Claudio de Lira ◽  
Rodrigo Vancini ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a strong negative impact on economic and social life worldwide. It has also negatively influenced people’s general health and quality of life. The aim of the present study was to study the impact of social distancing on physical activity level, and the association between mood state (depression and anxiety level) or sex with actual physical activity levels, the change in physical activity during social distancing period, the adhesion level to social distancing, the adoption time of social distancing, family income and age. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire with personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders information’s was answered by 2,140 female and male Brazilians who were recruited through online advertising. RESULTS: Thirty percent of the participants presented symptoms of moderate/severe depression and 23.3% displayed moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. A greater presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression were associated with low physical activity levels, low family monthly income, and younger age. A higher percentage of men who had no mood disorders was observed among those who were very active than among those less active. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on physical activity. Those who reduced their level of physical activity had the highest levels of mood disorders. Therefore, considering all the non-communicable diseases and mental diseases associated with physical inactivity, humans are likely to be much more vulnerable during this period of social distancing, including that of combating a possible COVID-19 disease. Therefore, physical activity programs should be encouraged, while respecting the necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9231
Author(s):  
Florin Valentin Leuciuc ◽  
Petru Ghervan ◽  
Ileana Monica Popovici ◽  
Florian Benedek ◽  
Andreea Gabriela Lazar ◽  
...  

Nowadays, a descending trend concerning physical activity levels among youth has been recorded, as well as differences between males and females; more than half recorded a low level of the physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the social and educational sustainability of physical education and to determine the level of physical activity by using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form for Romanian undergraduate and graduate students. In our study, we included students and applied the IPAQ short form anonymously. They gave their consent to use these personal data only for scientific purposes. Overall, two thirds of the subjects (according to the IPAQ scoring protocol) and more than half (according to the World Health Organization recommendation for physical activity) consider themselves to be active. The present study showed that there is a prevalence of insufficient physical activity among Romanian University students (around 40%). The situation seems to be better than in other countries, but in self-evaluation, many people tend to overestimate their potential. To avoid this aspect and gain some objectivity, it is better to use a gadget in order to measure the level of their physical activity.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikita Rowley ◽  
James Steele ◽  
Matthew Wade ◽  
Robert J. Copeland ◽  
Steven Mann ◽  
...  

Background: Exercise referral schemes (ERSs) within clinical populations offer inactive individuals the opportunity to increase physical activity levels over the length of scheme. Schemes are also intended to support the treatment of specific health conditions of medically referred individuals through increased physical activity behaviours. The extant literature concerning the impact of exercise referral on physical activity levels is inconsistent. It is of interest researchers, policy makers, commissioners and practitioners to to consider broadly whether meaningful change in physical activity levels are observed in people who undergo exercise referral, to identify potential effective policy actions in supporting active living. Purpose: To examine if ERSs increase physical activity levels in a large cohort of individuals throughout England, Scotland and Wales from The National Referral Database. Method: Data were obtained from 5246 participants from 12 different referral schemes. Average age was 53±15 years and, 68% of participants were female. Participants self-reported International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores pre- and post- scheme, to determine if exercise referral had any impact on change in physical activity levels. Two stage individual patient data meta-analysis was performed on the both pre-ERS, and change scores, (i.e. post- minus pre-ERS scores) for MET-minutes/week calculated from IPAQ. Analyses were conducted on the continuous data collected using the IPAQ. Results: For pre-ERS MET-minutes/week the estimate and 95%CI from random effects model was 676 MET-minutes/week [539 to 812 minutes]. For change in MET-minutes/week the estimate and 95%CI from random effects model for was an increase of 540 MET-minutes/week [396 to 684 minutes]. Significant heterogeneity was evident among the schemes (I2 > 80%). Changes in total PA levels occurred as a result of increases in vigorous activity of 17 minutes [95%CI 9 to 24 minutes], increases in moderate activity of 29 minutes [95%CI 22 to 36 minutes], and reductions in sitting of -61 minutes [95%CI -78 to -43 minutes], though little change in walking (-5 minutes [95%CI -14 to 5 minutes]). Conclusion: Observation of participants undergoing ERSs suggests that most are already ‘moderately active’ upon entering an ERS. Changes in physical activity behaviour associated with ERS participation were varied and primarily facilitated by increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and reduced sitting. However, this was not sufficient to result in IPAQ categorical change and participants where thus on average still classed as ‘moderately active’. Further work is required to ensure ERSs are implemented to targeting the appropriate populations where they may result in the greatest benefit.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1304-1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra de Carvalho Bastone ◽  
Eduardo Ferriolli ◽  
Claudine Patricia Teixeira ◽  
João Marcos Domingues Dias ◽  
Rosângela Corrêa Dias

Background:Self-reported measures of decreased aerobic fitness and low physical activity are criteria of frailty. However, research assessing aerobic fitness and physical activity levels associated with frailty is limited. Therefore, the aims of this study were to objectively assess the aerobic fitness and the physical activity level of frail and nonfrail elderly, and to examine the association between frailty, aerobic fitness and habitual physical activity.Methods:This study included 26 elderly (66 to 86 years), randomly selected. The groups (frail/nonfrail) were age and sex paired. Peak oxygen consumption, maximal walking distance and speed were assessed during the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT). Average daily time spent in sedentary, light, moderate and hard activity, counts, number of steps and energy expenditure were measured by accelerometry.Results:All variables measured by the ISWT and accelerometer differed significantly between the groups (P < .02). All aerobic fitness and physical activity variables were significantly associated with frailty, independent of the number of chronic health conditions (P < .05).Conclusions:Frailty is associated with low peak oxygen consumption and low physical activity level. These findings could guide future clinical trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of aerobic exercises in the prevention and treatment of frailty.


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