Costs and outcomes of an exercise referral programme – A 1-year follow-up study

Abstract

Aims: To analyse, at a 1-year follow-up, cost offset and outcomes of changing the physical activity behaviour due to a primary care intervention. Methodology: Participants were 528 inactive individuals with lifestyle-related health problems, 18–84 years, and randomized into a high-dose intervention group (n = 270) or a low-dose intervention group (n = 257). The 4-month lasting intervention “Physical Activity on Prescription” (PAP) contained exercise, education and motivational counselling. At the 1-year follow-up, 178 individuals (95 in the high-dose group, 83 in the low-dose group) were assessed with the IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) short form, perceived physical activity and functional ability (Six Minute Walk Test). Motivation and attitudes towards physical activity were assessed with a questionnaire, and analysed based on factor analysis. Major findings: physical activity increased significantly, but without differences between high-dose and low-dose groups. The rate of inactive individuals decreased from 75% to 53%. Analysis of motivation showed no differences between the groups. Principal conclusion: The PAP-program significantly improved physical activity behaviour at the 1-year follow-up, and reduced costs for inactivity by 22%. Economic incentives, i.e. expenditures and individuals’ own valuation of leisure time, seem to influence preferences for participation in the PAP-program. Social–cognitive factors seem important when changing physical activity behaviour. Prescribed exercise may work pre-motivational for changed physical activity behaviour.