Evaluation of GP exercise referral V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Theory-informed evaluation of two delivery approaches of a GP exercise referral scheme
IRAS ID
154438
Contact name
Paula M Watson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool John Moores University
Research summary
How effective are two different approaches to GP exercise referral?
Physical activity (PA) benefits both physical and psychological health, yet the majority of UK adults are physically inactive. “Exercise for Health“ (EFH) is a GP exercise referral scheme run in Liverpool for people who are inactive with a medical condition. Patients are referred by their GP practice, where they receive 12 weeks of subsidised exercise classes at their local leisure or community centre.
In 2012, one of the thirteen EFH centres (Centre A) introduced some changes to try and improve EFH at their centre. These changes included:
- a pre-scheme meeting with a health trainer, to help the patient decide if EFH is for them.
- exclusive classes (gym or activities) available daily for EFH participants (compared to gym-only classes two or three times a week in other centres).This non-randomised study will compare the effectiveness of the adapted EFH (Centre A) with standard EFH delivery (Centre B). All participants referred to centre A (n=100 approx) or centre B (n=100 approx) during the study period will be invited to take part. Changes in self-reported PA, PA self-efficacy, and psychological well-being will be measured at the end of EFH (12 weeks) and at 12-month follow-up. A sub-sample of participants (n=15 from each centre) will take part in qualitative interviews to explore the factors that contribute to effectiveness.
A secondary aim is to explore psychological factors contributing to any differences between the two centres. Self-determination theory suggests that where participants feel they are offered choice, feel they are competent at exercise, and feel connected to people they exercise with, they will be more intrinsically motivated and more likely to continue exercising. Therefore it is hypothesised that participants attending the adapted EFH will be more motivated and more likely to continue exercising.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0160
Date of REC Opinion
2 May 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion