Effectiveness of physical activity promotion based in primary care

Source: BMJ, 2012, 344 (7850)

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Systematic review

In a nutshell: A systematic review of 15 randomised controlled trials. The trials involved the promotion of physical activity in sedentary adults, by phone or in person, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Three trials investigated exercise referrals. The researchers found that physical activity levels significantly increased after one year, but that there was insufficient evidence to recommend exercise referral schemes over advice or counselling interventions. More trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of exercise referral interventions.

Length of publication: 17 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Signs to encourage stair use

Source: National Heart Forum

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Date of publication: February 2012

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A recent American report tells how signs in three different public buildings, one a health clinic, encouraging people to use the stairs rather than the lift, led to much increased stair-climbing even after a 9 month period. A simple idea to promote more physical activity, integrated into daily life.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Free your feet evaluation 2011: key findings and recommendations

Source: BHF National Centre for physical activity and health 

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Date of publication: September 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: 300 secondary schools in the UK took part in the ‘Find your feet’ incentivised walking initiative earlier this year. Loughborough University has evaluated the campaign, talking to Schools Coordinators and young people who took part, and this is their report of the key findings and recommendations.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Physical activity patterns – children in England

Source: British Heart Foundation National Centre (BHFNC) – Physical activity and health

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Date of publication: 21 March 2011

Publication type: Report; Statistics

In a nutshell: This publication pulls together the latest facts and statistics from sources such as the Health Survey for England and the National Travel Survey. Covers physical activity levels generally and during the school day, travel to school, PE and sport, as well as sedentary behaviour.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Nations Heart Forum eNews Briefing 23.3.2011

Sharing practice: raising the profile of physical activity within primary care

Source: British Heart Foundation National Centre physical activity and health

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Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: Case studies

In a nutshell: This booklet emerged from the BHFNC’s 10th Annual Conference: ‘The cure for all ills is not to sit still’. Includes a selection of physical activity projects and case studies. Engagement with GP commissioning consortia will be important in order to keep physical activity firmly part of the primary care prevention and treatment agenda.

Length of publication: 1 web page plus associated document

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Exercise on prescription: changes in physical activity and health-related quality of life

Source: European Journal of Public Health, 2011, 21 (1), p. 56-62

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Date of publication: January 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This study analysed changes in physical activity among participants of five Exercise on Prescription (EoP) programmes in Denmark. EoP helped to contribute to improved levels of physical activity and health-related quality of life.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

WoW (Walk once a Week)

Source: Walk to School

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Date of publication: 2010

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: WoW stands for Walk Once a Week and is a year-round walking promotion scheme. The DH-funded regional scheme is delivered by Living Streets in partnership with school travel advisers and participating schools. It encourages parents and pupils to walk to school at least once a week throughout the school year. Children record how they travel to school and if they walk at least four times a month, they receive collectable badges. Seven local authorities in the northwest joined the scheme in September 2010.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Living Streets

Tackling of unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and obesity: health effects and cost-effectiveness

Source: Lancet, 2010, 376 (9754) p. 1775-1784

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Date of publication: November 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This report assesses public health strategies designed to tackle behavioural risk factors for chronic diseases in low-income and middle-income countries. England was included for comparative purposes. Cost-effective interventions such as health information and communication strategies, fiscal and regulatory measures are discussed.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

National exercise proven to be cost effective in Wales

Source: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

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Date of publication: 16 November 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The Welsh National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) was introduced in 2007, replacing local schemes. Research and evaluation by Cardiff and Bangor universities shows it to be cost-effective in helping people reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as CVD.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Quality of life and cost-effectiveness of a 3-year trial of lifestyle intervention in primary health care

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine, 13 September 2010, vol 170 no 16, pp 1470-1479

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Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This Swedish study of 151 patients over 3 years, demonstrated clear and cost-effective impact of group-based lifestyle interventions on quality of life (QOL) in patients at moderate to high risk of CVD. The researchers performed health economic evaluation, cost-utility analysis and cost-effectiveness using the net monetary benefit method.

Length of publication: 10 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Combined impact of lifestyle-related factors on total and cause-specific mortality

Source: PLoS Medicine September 2010, volume 7 issue 9

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Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This study involved 71,243 women who did not smoke or drink alcohol regularly. Their lifestyles were rated from 0 to 5, with points for taking daily exercise, eating fruit and vegetables and other factors. The study indicated that a relatively unhealthy lifestyle, scoring less than 4, contributed to 59% of cardiovascular deaths among the non-smoking, non-drinking participants. The results of the study therefore support the importance of overall lifestyle modification in disease prevention.

Length of publication: 11 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Cycling for the over-50s takes off in Swindon

Source: CTC – the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation

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Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Cycling sessions for the over-50s have been very successful at encouraging both beginners, and those with limited confidence or cycling experience, to enjoy cycling and continue with it. Sessions are free and are held weekly for 8 weeks, initially taking place on a safe, traffic-free, local athletics track.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum e-news briefing 15.9.2010