ArticleBMJ open2013
An evaluation of the efficacy of the exercise on referral scheme in Northumberland, UK: association with physical activity and predictors of engagement. A naturalistic observation study.
Article in BMJ open, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
24 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 112 citations in OpenAlex.
- Are physical activity referral scheme components associated with increased physical activity, scheme uptake, and adherence rate? A meta-analysis and meta-regression.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2024Pooled it
- A systematic review and narrative synthesis of physical activity referral schemes' components.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2023Pooled it
- The effects of exercise referral schemes in the United Kingdom in those with cardiovascular, mental health, and musculoskeletal disorders: a preliminary systematic review.BMC public health · 2018Pooled it
- Adding web-based behavioural support to exercise referral schemes for inactive adults with chronic health conditions: the e-coachER RCT.Health technology assessment (Winchester, England) · 2020Trial
- Factors associated with programme completion and physical activity adherence in a community-based cancer exercise programme.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- An evaluation of a community-based intervention in England aiming to reduce inequalities in exercise participation.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2025Article
- Moving an exercise referral scheme to remote delivery during the Covid-19 pandemic: an observational study examining the impact on uptake, adherence, and costs.BMC public health · 2024Observational
- The role of self-regulation strategies in physical activity behavior change: results from an exercise prescription program at a Federally Qualified Health Center.Psychology, health & medicine · 2023Article
- The effectiveness of the Healthworks Staying Steady community-based falls prevention exercise programme to improve physical function in older adults: a 6-year service evaluation.BMC public health · 2022Article
- Factors associated with increased physical activity among patients prescribed physical activity in Swedish routine health care including an offer of counselor support: a 1-year follow-up.BMC public health · 2022Observational
- The match between what is prescribed and reasons for prescribing in exercise referral schemes: a mixed method study.BMC public health · 2021Article
- Inequalities and Inclusion in Exercise Referral Schemes: A Mixed-Method Multi-Scheme Analysis.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Understanding Leisure Centre-Based Physical Activity after Physical Activity Referral: Evidence from Scheme Participants and Completers in Northumberland UK.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Gender Differences in Uptake, Adherence and Experiences: A Longitudinal, Mixed-Methods Study of a Physical Activity Referral Scheme in Scotland, UK.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Once is rarely enough: can social prescribing facilitate adherence to non-clinical community and voluntary sector health services? Empirical evidence from Germany.BMC public health · 2020Article
- Challenges, opportunities and solutions for local physical activity stakeholders: an implementation case study from a cross-sectoral physical activity network in Northeast England.BMC public health · 2020Article
- Green Health Partnerships in Scotland; Pathways for Social Prescribing and Physical Activity Referral.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2020Article
- The Northumberland Exercise Referral Scheme as a Universal Community Weight Management Programme: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Outcomes, Expectations and Experiences across a Social Gradient.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2020Article
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesExercise on referral schemes (ERS) are widely commissioned in the UK but there is little evidence of their association with physical activity levels. We sought to assess the Northumberland exercise on referral scheme in terms of increased levels of physical activity and identify predictors of engagement.
designA naturalistic observational study.
setting9 local authority leisure sites in Northumberland.
participants2233 patients referred from primary and secondary care between July 2009 and September 2010.
interventionA 24-week programme including motivational consultations and supervised exercise sessions for participants. OUTCOME MEASURES: Uptake, 12-week adherence, 24-week completion, changes in Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire scores after 24-weeks and attendance levels at supervised exercise sessions during the scheme. Three binary logistic regressions were used to examine demographic and referral factors associated with initial uptake, 12-week adherence and 24-week completion.
resultsUptake was 81% (n=1811), 12-week adherence was 53.5% (n=968) and 24-week completion was 42.9% (n=777). Participants who completed significantly increased their self-reported physical activity levels at 24-weeks t (638)=-11.55, p<0.001. Completers attended a mean of 22.87 (12.47 SD) of a target 48 supervised sessions. Increasing age, being female and leisure site were associated with uptake, increasing age, Index of Multiple Deprivation and leisure site were associated with 12-week adherence and Body Mass Index and leisure site were associated with 24-week completion. Each regression significantly increased the prediction accuracy of stage of exit (non-starters vs starters 81.5%, dropouts before 12 weeks vs 12-week adherers 66.9%, and dropouts between 13 and 24 weeks 82.2%).
conclusionsCompleters of the Northumberland ERS increased physical activity at 24 weeks, although the levels achieved were below the current UK guidelines of 150 min of moderate exercise per week. Leisure site was associated with uptake, adherence and completion.
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