| Title: |
Outcome evaluation of Active Herts: A community-based physical activity programme for inactive adults at risk of cardiovascular disease and/or low mental wellbeing |
| Authors: |
Angel M. Chater; Joerg Schulz; Andy Jones; Amanda Burke; Shelby Carr; Dora Kukucska; Nick Troop; Daksha Trivedi; Neil Howlett |
| Source: |
Frontiers in Public Health, Vol 10 (2022) |
| Publisher Information: |
Frontiers Media S.A., 2022. |
| Publication Year: |
2022 |
| Collection: |
LCC:Public aspects of medicine |
| Subject Terms: |
physical activity; inactivity; exercise; cardiovascular risk; mental wellbeing; COM-B; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270 |
| Description: |
BackgroundA high proportion of UK adults are inactive, which can lead to a range of physical and mental health concerns. Active Herts is a community-based physical activity programme for inactive adults at risk of cardiovascular disease and/or low mental wellbeing. This paper provides a pragmatic evaluation of this programme.MethodThis longitudinal study observed 717 adults (68% female, mean age = 56.9 years) from the “Active Herts” programme. Programme users were provided with a 45-min consultation with a “Get Active Specialist,” who talked them through an Active Herts self-help booklet and then signposted them to free or subsidized local exercise sessions. Programme users were followed up with a booster call 2 weeks later. The Get Active Specialist was a registered exercise professional (REPS Level 3), with additional training from the study team in motivational interviewing, health coaching, COM-B behavioral diagnosis and delivery of behavior change techniques (BCTs) in practice. The Active Herts booklet contained theoretically-driven and evidence-based BCTs to translate behavioral science into public health practice. Physical activity (Metabolic Equivalent Time [METs], measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), perceived health (EQ-5D-5L) and mental wellbeing (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale: WEMWBS) were measured at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months.ResultsAt the end of the 12-month programme, users showed sustained improvements in physical activity (by +1331 METS), exceeding weekly recommendations. Sitting (reducing by over an hour per day), sporting participation, and perceptions of health were also improved, with improvements in mental wellbeing in the first 3 months.ConclusionDesigning and delivering a community-based physical activity programme that is theoretically-driven and evidence-based with frequent behavior change training and supervision can yield a significant increase in self-reported physical activity, reduction in sitting behavior and improvements to perceived health and mental wellbeing. Future research should extend this approach, utilizing a real-world, pragmatic evaluation.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT number): NCT03153098. |
| Document Type: |
article |
| File Description: |
electronic resource |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
2296-2565 |
| Relation: |
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.903109/full; https://doaj.org/toc/2296-2565 |
| DOI: |
10.3389/fpubh.2022.903109 |
| Access URL: |
https://doaj.org/article/8425822b242548bcacd4fcd0e5cb0b32 |
| Accession Number: |
edsdoj.8425822b242548bcacd4fcd0e5cb0b32 |
| Database: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |