Four commonly used methods to increase physical activity: brief interventions in primary care, exercise referral schemes, pedometers and community-based exercise programmes for walking and cycling

This guidance is for professionals in the NHS, local authorities and the voluntary sector. It focuses on four methods of getting adults to be physically active:

• Brief interventions – advice delivered by GPs and other non-hospital-based health professionals.
• Exercise referral schemes – referral to a tailored physical activity programme.
• Pedometers – use of a device to measure how far you have walked.
• Walking and cycling schemes.

The recommendations include:

• Adults who are not physically active should be advised to be moderately active for at least 30 minutes, 5 days of the week. They should be provided with details of local opportunities and the GP or other practitioner should agree goals with them, bearing in mind their preferences.
  
  Moderate activity includes some of the actions involved in daily life such as walking or cycling. It makes you feel warmer or even sweaty if it’s a hot day.
• Monitor whether or not this advice encourages people to be more physically active.
• Exercise referral schemes, pedometers and walking and cycling schemes should only be endorsed to promote physical activity if they are part of a formal research study.

• Other information

  • PH2 Four commonly used methods to increase physical activity: guidance (web format)

  NICE Pathways

  This guidance has been incorporated into the following NICE Pathways, along with other related guidance and products.

  Visit the NICE Pathway: physical activity

  How this guidance was produced

  Background information

  • Methods for development of NICE public health guidance
  • The public health guidance development process: An overview for stakeholders including public health practitioners, policy makers and the public
  • Physical activity intervention draft recommendations - stakeholder consultation table
  • 2006/015 NICE launches first public health guidance: focus on smoking cessation and physical activity
  • PH2 Four commonly used methods to increase physical activity: evidence
  • Four commonly used methods to increase physical activity: economic modelling report

Guidance formats

• Web format
• Quick reference guide (PDF)
• Full Guidance (PDF)