Research to evaluate the Active for Health Pathway
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The extent to which the Active for Health pathway is effective and cost effective in supporting and sustaining inactive indivduals into sport.
IRAS ID
186473
Contact name
Rob Copeland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Hallam University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
In England, more than 15 million people have a long term condition - a health problem that may not be cured, but can be controlled by medication or other therapies. In Rotherham, the life expectancy of individuals is below the national average with a large population with long term conditions. Physical activity (PA) can help contribute to improve heath and NICE guidelines support the development of PA programmes. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council have developed a sport and PA pathway for long term conditions including a 12 week condition specific exercise programme, exercise awareness sessions for health care staff and health awareness training. Sheffield Hallam University are working with Rotherham Council as the academic partner in leading the research to evaluate the Rotherham Active for Health pathway.
The purpose of the current project is to understand the following:
1) To what extent the Active for Health Pathway is effective and cost effective in supporting and sustaining inactive individuals into physical activity.2) Explore the impact of the programme on; quality of life, patient activation, the participant experience and the impact of the programme on the skills and confidence of health professionals. We will also explore the feasibility and acceptability of the programme from a participant and practitioner perspective.
The research will involve a pre post mixed method parallel design over 3 years. Participants will include programme participants from the Active for Health Sport and Physical Activity Pathway. Quantitative measures include PA and quality of life measures, collected at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. Data will be collected at leisure sites in Rotherham. Qualitative measures include interviews with coaches, clinicians and programme participants to help inform participant experiences and identify the confidence of health professionals and coaches in supporting inactive individuals into sport.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1540
Date of REC Opinion
14 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion