Outcome evaluation of Active Herts

A community-based physical activity programme for inactive adults at risk of cardiovascular disease and/or low mental wellbeing

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22073187
AutoresAngel M Chater (0000-0002-9043-2565, University of Bedfordshire, autor de correspondencia), Joerg Schulz, Jörg B Schulz (0000-0002-8903-0593, University of Hertfordshire), Andy Jones (0000-0002-3130-9313, University of East Anglia), Amanda Burke (0000-0002-7905-8947, University of East Anglia), Shelby Carr (0000-0001-7301-8832, University of East Anglia), Dora Kukucska (University of Bedfordshire), Nick Troop (University of Hertfordshire), Daksha Trivedi (0000-0002-7572-4113, University of Hertfordshire), Neil Howlett (0000-0002-6502-9969, University of Hertfordshire)
Año2022
Volumen10
Páginas903109-903109
Fecha de publicación2022-09-09
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditorialFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.903109
PMID36159253
OpenAlexW4295197092
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas27

Background: A 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. Method: This 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. Results: At 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. Conclusion: Designing 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 registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT number): NCT03153098

Coaching · Family medicine · Health coaching · Mental health · Motivational interviewing · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Cardiac Health and Mental Health · Health Promotion and Cardiovascular Prevention · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Gerontology