Older patients and those with heart conditions are more likely to take up and complete exercise on referral programmes than younger or obese patients, according to a new UK study presented at the British Science Festival in Newcastle.

Conducted by researchers from the University of Northumbria, the study observed 2,233 patients who took part in exercise on referral schemes across Northumberland. Each scheme lasted for a period of 24 weeks and took place at nine local authority leisure facilities.

Their observations found that older age was a strong predictor in determining who took up exercise and who adhered to it. It was also found that the location of the leisure facility was important.

Scientists also made the finding that obesity was a significant negative predictor when looking at who turned up to exercise, while researchers also said that while those who completed their schemes reported positive changes in self-reported exercise, the levels that were conducted by participants on their own were still below the UK recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.

Despite 81 per cent of patients being referred to the schemes taking part in them, 53 per cent completed a shortened stint of 12 weeks and only 42.9 per cent completed the full 24 weeks of supervised activity. Of those who completed the full 24-week programme, an average of 23 out of 48 supervised sessions were attended by each person.

The idea of commissioning the study was based around the lack of current clarity on whether patients who partake in the programmes actually make longer-term adjustments to their levels of exercise.

Exercise on referral schemes were originally launched in the 1990s, with patients being referred to them from primary and secondary care.

The findings have also been published in an online report, which can be found in the BMJ Open journal here: http://lei.sr?a=O8L8d