What does the study involve?

If you agree to take part you will be randomly allocated to one of four groups:

1.     You will receive “exercise on prescription” which is the standard gym-based personal exercise programme that your GP usually refers people to, OR 

2.     You will receive “exercise on prescription” which is the standard gym-based personal exercise programme that your GP usually refers people to, with access to a new website to support your fitness programme, OR

3.     You will be referred for a new sports-oriented exercise programme, where people of similar fitness levels to you will be offered group sports sessions based around netball, badminton and other group sports OR

4.     You will be referred for a new sports-oriented exercise programme, where people of similar fitness levels to you will be offered sports sessions based around netball, badminton and other group sports with access to a new website to support your fitness programme.

You will receive a letter from the practice to let you know which group you are in and how to access it. You can show this letter at the exercise programme and this will allow you to use the facilities at the normal NHS subsidised rates. There is a joining fee of £15 and there are two payment options: Pay As You Go for each session at £3 or you can pay up front for the 12 weeks at £60 and go as many times as you like within the 12 week period.

Whichever group you are in, you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire at 5 time points:

  • just before you begin your exercise programme;
  • at the middle of your exercise programme (i.e. after 6 weeks);
  • at the end of your exercise programme (i.e. after 12 weeks);
  • at 6 months after you started the programme;
  • a year after you started the programme.

The questionnaires will be delivered online and we will send you a reminder to fill them in.

At the beginning, middle and end of the exercise programme we will measure your blood pressure, height, weight and waist and hip circumference. We will ask your GP for your most recent blood sugar, cholesterol tests, whether you are receiving treatment for high blood pressure and if you have chronic kidney disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or atrial fibrillation, to tailor the interventions.

What time will I have to give up?

The exercise programmes are for approximately 1 hour a week for 12 weeks and you would need to attend these at the Surrey Sports Park.  We will also ask you to fill in some questionnaires on line (please see ‘What does the study involve?’).

Find out more about what practical factors to consider

Previous participant's story

"What happened was that I got this letter that had come through the post which had come via the doctor, who had referred me to do this programme to do with hypertension… which I think has something to do with seeing how fitness can help your health and I’ve just started three weeks ago"

Penelope's story