Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

PH54/4

Question

What is the comparative effectiveness and cost effectiveness of exercise referral schemes compared with other interventions that aim to help people to become more physically active? Relative effectiveness and cost effectiveness should be compared in controlled trials.

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

The recommended research should aim to identify differences in effectiveness among groups, based on characteristics such as socioeconomic status, age, gender and ethnicity. It should also focus on exercise referral schemes that seek to improve the health of sedentary or inactive adults with an existing health condition – or other factors that put them at increased risk of developing a health condition. The research recommendation does not cover people for whom exercise referral schemes are not recommended. It assumes that exercise referral schemes benefit health by helping people to be more physically active. Changes in physical activity levels should, therefore, be the primary outcome measured, ideally at 1 year and beyond. The potential health benefit of someone doing some physical activity, albeit below current UK physical activity guidelines rather than none at all, should be taken into account. (See the Department of Health's Start active, stay active.) If other outcomes or determinants of health such as reducing social isolation or improving community engagement – are seen as key benefits, then they should be clearly set out and measured against a suitable control intervention. This is not, however, the focus of these
research recommendations.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Physical activity: exercise referral schemes

Number

PH54

Date issued

September 2014

Other details