Exercise Referral/Chronic Conditions
This page contains resources related to the organised use of exercise and physical activity as a means of treating or managing a range of chronic conditions.
Scroll down for:
Key UK Exercise Referral publications and guidance.
Signposting to more research on specific conditions and the use of physical activity/exercise.
A slideset on Exercise Referral Schemes research.
A long reading list on Exercise Referral Schemes.
A list of key exercise referral specialists on twitter.
Key Publications (UK)
NICE Guidance PH54 - Exercise referral schemes to promote physical activity - Sept, 2014
NICE guidance PH44 - Physical activity: brief advice for adults in primary care - May, 2013
NICE Guidance PH49 - Behaviour change: individual approaches
NICE pathways - Encouraging physical activity to prevent or treat specific conditions
National Obesity Observatory - Standard Evaluation Framework for Physical Activity Interventions
Pavey, T.G., Taylor, A.H., Fox, K.R., et al (2011) Effect of exercise referral schemes in primary care on physical activity and improving health outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ 2011;343:d6462 [full text]
Rowley, N., Mann, S., Steele, J., Horton, E., & Jimenez, A. (2018). 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, 18(1), 949. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-018-5868-9
Information on Specific Health Conditions
Other Content
PARmed-X - Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
A toolkit for setting up a GP Exercise Referral Scheme (bhfactive)
EUPAP - https://www.eupap.org/
Exercise Referral Schemes (A Reading & Resource List)
Further Reading: Textbooks
American College of Sports Medicine (2009) ACSM's exercise management for persons with chronic diseases and disabilities (3rd Ed) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics
Biddle, S., Mutrie, N., & Gorely, T. (2015). Psychology of Physical Activity: Determinants, Well-Being and Interventions. Oxon: Routledge [full text]
Buckley, J. (Ed) (2008) Exercise Physiology in Special Populations. Oxford; Elsevier.
Ehrman, J., Gordon, P., Visich, P.S., Keteyianby, S. (2018) Clinical Exercise Physiology (4th Ed). Champaign IL: Human Kinetics [google books]
Lawrence, D (2013) Exercise Referral Schemes. London: Bloomsbury
Scott, A., & Gidlow, C. (2016). Clinical exercise science. Routledge.
Swain, D.P. & Leutholtz, B.C. (2007) Exercise Prescription: A case study approach to the ACSM Guidelines (2nd Ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. [google books]
Williamson, P. (2011) Exercise for Special Populations Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins [google books]
Woolf-May, Bird, S.R. (2006) Exercise Prescription: Physiological foundations: A guide for health, sport and exercise professionals. London: Churchill Livingstone [google books]
Further Reading: Journal Articles
Albert, F. A., Crowe, M. J., Malau-Aduli, A. E., & Malau-Aduli, B. S. (2020). Functionality of physical activity referral schemes (PARS): a systematic review. Frontiers in public health, 8, 257. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00257
Albert, F. A., Malau-Aduli, A. E., Crowe, M. J., & Malau-Aduli, B. S. (2021). Australian Patients’ Perception of the Efficacy of the Physical Activity Referral Schemes (PARS). Patient Education and Counseling. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2021.04.001
Albert, F. A., Malau-Aduli, A. E., Crowe, M. J., & Malau-Aduli, B. S. (2021). The ‘PRICE’of Physical Activity Referral Schemes (PARS): Stakeholders’ Recommendations for Delivering Quality Care to Patients. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(16), 8627. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168627
Alsop, T., Lehman, E., Brauer, S., Forbes, R., Hanson, C. L., Healy, G., ... & Gomersall, S. (2023). What should all health professionals know about movement behaviour change? An international Delphi-based consensus statement. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(22), 1419-1427. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-106870
Andersen, P., Holmberg, S., Årestedt, K., Lendahls, L., & Nilsen, P. (2020). Physical Activity on Prescription in Routine Health Care: 1-Year Follow-Up of Patients with and without Counsellor Support. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(16), 5679. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165679
Anokye, N.K., Trueman, P., Green, C. Pavey, T., Hillsdon, M., Taylor, R.S. (2011) The cost-effectiveness of exercise referral schemes BMC Public Health, 11:954 doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-954 [full text]
Arsenijevic, J., & Groot, W. (2017). Physical activity on prescription schemes (PARS): do programme characteristics influence effectiveness? Results of a systematic review and meta-analyses. BMJ open, 7(2), e012156. http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/2/e012156
AuYoung, M., Linke, S. E., Pagoto, S., Buman, M. P., Craft, L. L., Richardson, C. R., ... & Gorin, S. S. (2016). Integrating physical activity in primary care practice. The American journal of medicine, 129(10), 1022-1029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2016.02.008
Beck, F. E., Gillison, F. B., Koseva, M. D., Standage, M., Brodrick, J. L., Graham, C., & Young, H. (2016). The systematic identification of content and delivery style of an exercise intervention. Psychology & health, 31(5), 605-621. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2015.1132718
Beedie, C., Mann, S., Domone, S., & Wade, M. (2016). Combining supervised exercise and physical activity counselling might increase retention to GP exercise referral programmes. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (MSSE), 48(5S (S1)), 79-80. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000485247.50764.f8
Bell, J., Neubeck, L., Jin, K., Kelly, P., & Hanson, C. L. (2021). 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, 18(6), 2957. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062957
Biddle, S.J., Fox, K.R. & Edmunds, L. (1994) Physical activity promotion in primary health care in England. London: Health Education Authority.
Birtwistle, S. B., Ashcroft, G., Murphy, R., Gee, I., Poole, H., & Watson, P. M. (2019). Factors influencing patient uptake of an exercise referral scheme: a qualitative study. Health education research, 34(1), 113-127. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyy038
Buckley, B. J. R., Thijssen, D. H. J., Murphy, R. C., Graves, L. E. F., Whyte, G., Gillison, F. B., ... & Watson, P. M. (2018). Making a move in exercise referral: co-development of a physical activity referral scheme. Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdy072
Buckley, B. J., Newton, J., Knox, S., Noonan, B., Smith, M., & Watson, P. M. (2022). Multi-stakeholder perspectives on co-production: Five key recommendations following the Liverpool Co-PARS project. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2022.2152085
Buxton, K. and McGeorge, S. (2018) Audit of Exercise Referral Schemes in Scotland: A Snapshot of Current Practice; NHS Health Scotland: Edinburgh, UK, pp. 1–38.
Campbell, F., Holmes, M., Everson-Hock, E., Davis, S., Woods, H. B., Anokye, N., ... & Kaltenthaler, E. (2015). A systematic review and economic evaluation of exercise referral schemes in primary care: a short report. Health Technology Assessment, 19(60). http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/hta19600
Chalder, M., Wiles, N. J., Campbell, J., Hollinghurst, S. P., Haase, A. M., Taylor, A. H., ... & Winder, R. (2012). Facilitated physical activity as a treatment for depressed adults: randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 344, e2758. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e2758
Craike, M., Wiesner, G., Enticott, J., Bennie, J. A., & Biddle, S. J. (2018). Equity of a government subsidised exercise referral scheme: A population study. Social Science & Medicine, 216, 20-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.09.023
Cunningham, K. B., Rogowsky, R. H., Sullivan, F., Ozakinci, G., & Carstairs, S. A. (2020). Methods of connecting primary care patients with community- based physical activity opportunities : A realist scoping review. Health and Social Care in the Community, (October), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13186
Department of Health (2007) Best practice guidance: statement on Exercise Referral. Gateway Reference 7930 London: Department of Health.
De Lyon, A. T., Neville, R. D., & Armour, K. M. (2017). The role of fitness professionals in public health: a review of the literature. Quest, 69(3), 313-330. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2016.1224193
Deidda, M., Coll-Planas, L., Giné-Garriga, M., Guerra-Balic, M., i Figuls, M. R., Tully, M. A., ... & Blackburn, N. E. (2018). Cost-effectiveness of exercise referral schemes enhanced by self-management strategies to battle sedentary behaviour in older adults: protocol for an economic evaluation alongside the SITLESS three-armed pragmatic randomised controlled trial. BMJ open, 8(10), e022266.
Din, N. U., Moore, G. F., Murphy, S., Wilkinson, C., & Williams, N. H. (2015). Health professionals’ perspectives on exercise referral and physical activity promotion in primary care: findings from a process evaluation of the National Exercise Referral Scheme in Wales. Health Education Journal, 74(6), 743-757. https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896914559785
Downey, J., Shearn, K., Brown, N., Wadey, R., & Breckon, J. (2021). Behaviour change practices in exercise referral schemes: developing realist programme theory of implementation. BMC health services research, 21(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06349-9
Downey, J., Shearn, K., Brown, N., Wadey, R., & Breckon, J. (2024). The implementation of behaviour change practices in Physical Activity Referral Schemes: a narrative review. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 12(1), 2278293. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2023.2278293
Downey, J., & Golder, E. (2022). How can Exercise Referral Schemes increase physical activity: Developing initial programme theory. https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/research/awrc/projects/social-prescribing/exercise-referral-schemes-physical-activity.pdf
Duda, J. L., Williams, G. C., Ntoumanis, N., Daley, A., Eves, F. F., Mutrie, N., ... & Jolly, K. (2014). Effects of a standard provision versus an autonomy supportive exercise referral programme on physical activity, quality of life and well-being indicators: a cluster randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 11(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-11-10
Dugdill, L., Graham, R. C., & McNair, F. (2005). Exercise referral: the public health panacea for physical activity promotion? A critical perspective of exercise referral schemes; their development and evaluation. Ergonomics, 48(11-14), 1390-1410. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130500101544
Edmunds, J., Ntoumanis, N., & Duda, J. L. (2007). Adherence and well-being in overweight and obese patients referred to an exercise on prescription scheme: A self-determination theory perspective. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 8(5), 722-740. [full text]
Edwards, R. T., Linck, P., Hounsome, N., Raisanen, L., Williams, N., Moore, L., & Murphy, S. (2013). Cost-effectiveness of a national exercise referral programme for primary care patients in Wales: results of a randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 1021. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-1021
Eynon, M., Foad, J., Downey, J., Bowmer, Y., & Mills, H. (2019). Assessing the psychosocial factors associated with adherence to exercise referral schemes: a systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13403
Graham, R.C., Dugdill, L. and Cable, N.T. (2005) Health Professionals perspectives in exercise referral: implications for the referral process. Ergonomics, 48 (11-14):1411-1422.[abstract]
Gidlow, C., Johnston, L.H., Crone, D., Morris, C., Smith, A., Foster, C., James, D.V.B. (2007) Socio-demographic patterning of referral, upake and attendance in Physical Activity Referral Schemes. Journal of Public Health 29(2): 107-13. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdm002
Halbert, J.A., Silagy, C.A., Finucane, P.M., Withers, R.T. & Hamdorf, P.A. (2000) Physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors: effect of advice from an exercise specialist in Australian general practice. Medical Journal of Australia, 173 (2): 84-87. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb139250.x
Hanson, C. L., Allin, L. J., Ellis, J. G., & Dodd-Reynolds, C. J. (2013). 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. BMJ Open, 3(8).[full text]
Hanson, C. L., Oliver, E. J., Dodd-Reynolds, C. J., & Allin, L. J. (2019). How do participant experiences and characteristics influence engagement in exercise referral? A qualitative longitudinal study of a scheme in Northumberland, UK. BMJ Open, 9(2), e024370. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024370
Hanson, C. L., Oliver, E. J., Dodd-Reynolds, C. J., & Kelly, P. (2019). We are failing to improve the evidence base for ‘ ‘exercise referral’: how a physical activity referral scheme taxonomy can help. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101485
Hanson, C. L., Oliver, E. J., Dodd-Reynolds, C. J., Pearsons, A., & Kelly, P. (2020). A modified Delphi study to gain consensus for a taxonomy to report and classify physical activity referral schemes (PARS). International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-01050-2
Harrison, R.A., McNair, F. Dugdill, L. (2005) Access to exercise referral schemes-a population based analysis. Journal of Public Health Medicine 27(4): 326-330 https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdi048
Henderson, H. E., Evans, A. B., Allen-Collinson, J., & Siriwardena, N. A. (2018). The ‘wild and woolly’world of exercise referral schemes: contested interpretations of an exercise as medicine programme. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 10(4), 505-523. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2017.1352018
Hillsdon, M., Thorogood, M., White, I., & Foster, C. (2002). Advising people to take more exercise is ineffective: a randomized controlled trial of physical activity promotion in primary care. International Journal of Epidemiology, 31(4), 808-815. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/31.4.808
Hoffmann, T. C., Maher, C. G., Briffa, T., Sherrington, C., Bennell, K., Alison, J., ... & Glasziou, P. P. (2016). Prescribing exercise interventions for patients with chronic conditions. Cmaj, 188(7), 510-518. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.150684
Howlett, N., Trivedi, D., Troop, N. A., & Chater, A. M. (2019). Are physical activity interventions for healthy inactive adults effective in promoting behavior change and maintenance, and which behavior change techniques are effective? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Translational behavioral medicine, 9(1), 147-157. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/iby010
James,D.V.B., Johnston, L.H., Crone, D., Sidford, A.H., Gidlow, C., Morris, C., Foster, C. (2009) Factors associated with physical activity referral uptake and participation. Journal of Sports Sciences Vol. 26, No. 2, 217-224 [abstract]
Jane, B., & Downey, J. (2024). Exercise referral schemes in the UK: mapping provision and aims. Journal of Public Health, fdae057. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdae057
Joelsson, M., Bernhardsson, S., & Larsson, M. E. (2017). Patients with chronic pain may need extra support when prescribed physical activity in primary care: a qualitative study. Scandinavian journal of primary health care, 35(1), 64-74.
Joyce, K. E., Smith, K. E., Henderson, G., Greig, G., & Bambra, C. (2009). Patient perspectives of Condition Management Programmes as a route to better health, well-being and employability. Family Practice, 27(1), 101-109. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmp083
Kettle, V. E., Madigan, C. D., Coombe, A., Graham, H., Thomas, J. J. C., Chalkley, A. E., & Daley, A. J. (2022). Effectiveness of physical activity interventions delivered or prompted by health professionals in primary care settings: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ, 376, e068465. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-068465
Lamming, L., Pears, S., Mason, D., Morton, K., Bijker, M., Sutton, S., & Hardeman, W. (2017). What do we know about brief interventions for physical activity that could be delivered in primary care consultations? A systematic review of reviews. Preventive medicine, 99, 152-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.02.017
Law, R. J., Langley, J., Hall, B., Burton, C., Hiscock, J., Williams, L., ... & Williams, N. (2021). ‘Function First’: how to promote physical activity and physical function in people with long-term conditions managed in primary care? A study combining realist and co-design methods. BMJ open, 11(7), e046751. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046751
Leijon, Bendtsen, Ståhle, A., Ekberg, K., Festin, K. and Nilsen, P. (2010 Factors associated with patients self-reported adherence to prescribed physical activity in routine primary health care. BMC Family Practice 2010, 11:38 [full text]
Leenaars, K. E. F., Smit, E., Wagemakers, A., Molleman, G. R. M., & Koelen, M. A. (2015). Facilitators and barriers in the collaboration between the primary care and the sport sector in order to promote physical activity: a systematic literature review. Preventive medicine, 81, 460-478.
Leese, C., Abraham, K., & Smith, B. H. (2023). Narrative review – Barriers and facilitators to promotion of physical activity in primary care. Lifestyle Medicine, 4(3), e81. https://doi.org/10.1002/lim2.81
Levy, A., Midgley, A., Pilsworth, S., Mcgonigle, A., Wigelsworth, L., Jones, L., ... & Matata, B. (2019). Applying the Social Identity Approach to Public Health. A Case Example of Theory in Practice. The European Health Psychologist, 21 (1), 595-601.
Lion, A., Vuillemin, A., Thornton, J. S., Theisen, D., Stranges, S., & Ward, M. (2018). Physical activity promotion in primary care: a Utopian quest?. Health Promotion International, 1, 10. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/day038
Littlecott, H. J., Moore, G. F., Moore, L., & Murphy, S. (2014). Psychosocial mediators of change in physical activity in the Welsh national exercise referral scheme: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 11(1), 109. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-014-0109-9
Lowe, A., Myers, A., Quirk, H., Blackshaw, J., Palanee, S., & Copeland, R. (2022). Physical activity promotion by GPs: A cross-sectional survey in England. BJGP Open, 6(3), BJGPO.2021.0227. https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0227
Lundqvist, S., Cider, Å., Larsson, M. E. H., Hagberg, L., Björk, M. P., & Börjesson, M. (2022). The effects of a 5-year physical activity on prescription (PAP) intervention in patients with metabolic risk factors. PLOS ONE, 17(10), e0276868. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0276868
Lyon, A. T. C. De, Neville, R. D., Armour, K. M., Lyon, A. T. C. De, Neville, R. D., & The, K. M. A. (2017). The Role of Fitness Professionals in Public Health : A Review of the Literature The Role of Fitness Professionals in Public Health : A Review of the Literature. Quest, 69(3), 313–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2016.1224193
McGeechan, G. J., Phillips, D., Wilson, L., Whittaker, V. J., O’Neill, G., & Newbury-Birch, D. (2018). Service Evaluation of an Exercise on Referral Scheme for Adults with Existing Health Conditions in the United Kingdom. International journal of behavioral medicine, 25(3), 304-311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-017-9699-3
MacAuley, D., Bauman, A., & Frémont, P. (2016). Exercise: not a miracle cure, just good medicine. Br J Sports Med, 50(18), 1107-1108.
Mann, S., Jimenez, A., Domone, S., & Beedie, C. (2016). Comparative effects of three 48-week community-based physical activity and exercise interventions on aerobic capacity, total cholesterol and mean arterial blood pressure. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 2(1), e000105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2015-000105
Markland, D., & Tobin, V. J. (2010). Need support and behavioural regulations for exercise among exercise referral scheme clients: The mediating role of psychological need satisfaction. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11 (2), 91-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2009.07.001
Martín-Borràs, C., Giné-Garriga, M., Puig-Ribera, A., Martín, C., Solà, M., & Cuesta-Vargas, A. I. (2018). A new model of exercise referral scheme in primary care: is the effect on adherence to physical activity sustainable in the long term? A 15-month randomised controlled trial. BMJ open, 8(3), e017211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017211
Mills, H., Crone, D., James, D. V., & Johnston, L. H. (2012). Exploring the perceptions of success in an exercise referral scheme: a mixed method investigation. Evaluation Review, 36(6), 407-429. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193841X12474452
Mino, E., Hanson, C. L., Naber, I., Weissenfels, A., McHale, S., Saftig, J., Klamroth, S., Gelius, P., Abu-Omar, K., Whiting, S., Wickramasinghe, K., Galea, G., Pfeifer, K., & Geidl, W. (2023). A systematic review and narrative synthesis of physical activity referral schemes’ components. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 20(1), 140. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-023-01518-x
Mino, E., Pfeifer, K., Hanson, C. L., Schuler, M., Brandmeier, A., Klamroth, S., Naber, I., Weissenfels, A., McHale, S., Abu-Omar, K., Gelius, P., Whiting, S., Wickramasinghe, K., Galea, G., & Geidl, W. (2024). Are physical activity referral scheme components associated with increased physical activity, scheme uptake, and adherence rate? A meta-analysis and meta-regression. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 21(1), 82. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01623-5
Moore, G. F., Moore, L., & Murphy, S. (2011). Facilitating adherence to physical activity: exercise professionals' experiences of the National Exercise Referral Scheme in Wales. a qualitative study. BMC public health , 11 (1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-935
Morgan, F., Battersby, A., Weightman, A. L., Searchfield, L., Turley, R., Morgan, H., ... & Ellis, S. (2016). Adherence to exercise referral schemes by participants–what do providers and commissioners need to know? A systematic review of barriers and facilitators. BMC Public Health, 16(1), 227. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-2882-7
Morgan, K. (2018). The National Exercise Referral Scheme in Wales: exploring scheme implementation over 10 years: Kelly Morgan. European Journal of Public Health, 28(suppl_4), cky218-099. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/cky218.099
Morgan, O. (2005) Approaches to increase physical activity: reviewing the evidence for exercise-referral schemes. Public Health; 119(5):361-370.
Murphy, S. M., Edwards, R. T., Williams, N., Raisanen, L., Moore, G., Linck, P., ... & Moore, L. (2012). An evaluation of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the National Exercise Referral Scheme in Wales, UK: a randomised controlled trial of a public health policy initiative. J Epidemiol Community Health, 66(8), 745-753.http://jech.bmj.com/content/66/8/745
Naci, H., & Ioannidis, J. P. (2013). Comparative effectiveness of exercise and drug interventions on mortality outcomes: metaepidemiological study. BMJ, 347, f5577. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f5577
National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (2006) Four commonly used methods to increase physical activity: Brief interventions in primary care, exercise referral schemes, pedometers and community-based exercise programmes for walking and cycling. Public Health Intervention Guidance no2. London: National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence.[full text]
Niemeijer, A., Lund, H., Stafne, S. N., Ipsen, T., Goldschmidt, C. L., Jørgensen, C. T., & Juhl, C. B. (2020). Adverse events of exercise therapy in randomised controlled trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine, 54(18), 1073-1080. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-100461
Netherway, J., Smith, B. and Monforte, J. (2021) Training Healthcare Professionals on How to Promote Physical Activity in the UK: A Scoping Review of Current Trends and Future Opportunities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 13: 6701. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136701
Normansell, R., Smith, J., Victor, C., Cook, D. G., Kerry, S., Iliffe, S., ... & Harris, T. (2014). Numbers are not the whole story: a qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators to increased physical activity in a primary care based walking intervention. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 1272.
Nunan, D., Mahtani, K. R., Roberts, N., & Heneghan, C. (2013). Physical activity for the prevention and treatment of major chronic disease: an overview of systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews, 2(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-2-56
Nunan, D. (2016). Doctors should be able to prescribe exercise like a drug. BMJ: British Medical Journal (Online), 353. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i2468
O'Brien, M. W., Bray, N. W., Kivell, M. J., & Fowles, J. R. (2021). A Scoping Review of Exercise Referral Schemes Involving Qualified Exercise Professionals in Primary Health Care. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, (ja). https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-1070
O'Regan, A., Pollock, M., D'Sa, S., & Niranjan, V. (2021). ABC of prescribing exercise as medicine: a narrative review of the experiences of general practitioners and patients. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 7(2), e001050. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001050
Oliver, E. J., Hanson, C. L., Lindsey, I. A., & Dodd-Reynolds, C. J. (2016). Exercise on referral: evidence and complexity at the nexus of public health and sport policy. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 8(4), 731–736. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2016.1182048
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Oliver, E. J., Dodd-Reynolds, C., Kasim, A., & Vallis, D. (2021). Inequalities and Inclusion in Exercise Referral Schemes: A Mixed-Method Multi-Scheme Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(6), 3033. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063033
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