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Abstract
Background: Many Australians do not meet recommended levels of physical activity and GPs can play an important role in addressing this.
Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise referral scheme, in patients referred by their general practitioner (GP).
Design: A pre post evaluation with measurement of outcomes immediately post intervention (five weeks) and again at six months.
Intervention: The 42 patients that agreed to participate in the study took part in an initial fitness and lifestyle assessment with an exercise physiologist. They then undertook ten exercise sessions over a period of five weeks, following an individually prescribed exercise program. At the completion of the ten exercise sessions, participants were reassessed (fitness and lifestyle) by the exercise physiologist. This was repeated again six months after they completed the intervention.
Main outcomes measured: The primary outcomes measured were changes in self reported physical activity and associated markers including cardiovascular fitness. Secondary outcomes measured include changes in physiological and anthropometric measures, behavioural risk factors (dietary behaviour, alcohol consumption and smoking) and quality of life. Patient well-being (using SF12), patient satisfaction and GP satisfaction with the program was also assessed.
Results: There was a large withdrawal of participants. Results have been presented in terms of outcome frequency at each assessment point. There was an 18% increase (from baseline) in the proportion of participants achieving the Australian physical activity guidelines and a 31% increase between baseline and the six month follow-up assessment in those that completed the program. There were statistically significant improvements in cardiovascular fitness measures and small improvements in some physiological, anthropometric, dietary behaviours and general well being measures.
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that referral to a community based leisure centre for supervised exercise, supported by a written exercise prescription by an exercise physiologist, may be effective in increasing physical activity levels short and long term in those that complete the program.
Exercise referrals can form part of national strategies to increase physical activity, particularly for primary care.