Technology assisted outdoor exercise referral monitoring
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility of technology assisted monitoring in an outdoor exercise referral programme.
IRAS ID
217182
Contact name
Michelle Horspool
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Sheffield CCG & Sheffield Health & Social Care NHSFT
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
Exercise referral in primary care has various modes of encouraging an increase in physical activity for patients, including 12-week programmes at a local leisure centre, engagement with outdoor volunteer-run activities, as well as relevant informed advice from clinicians and physical activity referral officers. However, there is a weakness in monitoring of programme effectiveness through adherence, the duration and quality of exercise undertaken, and the effects on long-term behaviour change. Therefore, exercise referral is in need of some innovation that could add value to social prescribing through the generation of quantitative feedback, such that adherence and achievements in positive lifestyle change can be monitored more effectively. The aim of this project is to test the feasibility for outdoor exercise referral that incorporates digital data monitoring and feedback to clinicians and patients. The objectives are 1) test a suite of digital physical activity measurement tools that might be relevant to clinician and patient needs; 2) collect and feedback a set of quantitative physical activity data from up to ten participants over a 12-week period; and 3) co-design with patients and clinicians a model modified by the project findings. The project will recruit 10 non-medical referrals from the Matthews GP Practice (in Lowfield, Sheffield), identified as at risk of developing non-communicable diseases, but not yet needing medical intervention. Participants will undertake a set of physical fitness tests at Lowfield Park to benchmark aerobic capacity and functional fitness. Based on the data from the tests an exercise programme is implemented using the outdoor spaces at Lowfield Park, which will suit a range of abilities anticipated. This will include co-design with participants to fit within their personal preferences and daily time constraints. The project then collects activity data and monitors participants over 12-week period, with a 6-week review point.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0215
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion