Evaluation of a Physical Activity Referral Scheme

Clinical and Cost-effectiveness of a Co-developed, Evidence-based Physical Activity Referral Scheme for the Treatment and Prevention of Health Conditions: a Pragmatic Trial

The study will evaluate the effectiveness of a co-developed exercise referral scheme. Participants will be recruited to one of three groups 1. Co-developed exercise referral scheme, 2. Usual care exercise referral scheme, 3. No treatment control (no intervention). The study will measure effectiveness by observing change in cardiorespiratory fitness at 12 weeks. Intervention cost-effectiveness will also be evaluated at 3 months follow-up using objective physical activity data.

Evidence of effectiveness for UK exercise referral is unclear. This representation has been deemed an unfair assessment of its potential to impact public health. This is due to systematic review evidence that reports evaluations of exercise referral interventions that are not evidence-based or underpinned by behaviour change theory.

This evaluation is the third phase of a project that aims to co-develop (Phase 1), pilot (phase 2) and evaluate (phase 3) an evidence-based exercise referral scheme. This approach is underpinned by the Medical Research Council guidance for complex interventions.

Through co-development work with a multidisciplinary group of researchers and local stakeholders and subsequent pilot work, it is hypothesised that the co-developed, evidence-based intervention will have improved chances of implementation success, and therefore, clinical effectiveness.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years or older and have a health-related risk factor (e.g. high blood pressure, hyperglycaemia, obesity etc.) or a health condition (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression etc.) that may be alleviated by increasing current PA levels.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Uncontrolled health-conditions (Cardiac, metabolic, respiratory etc.) and/or any recent traumatic events (e.g. myocardial infarction).
• Unstable angina or aortic stenosis.
• Severe psychological or neurological conditions.
• Participation in an ERS at any location other than the research centres (at the time of recruitment).