BMJ 1999;319:828-832 ( 25 September )

General Practice

The Newcastle exercise project: a randomised controlled trial of methods to promote physical activity in primary care

Jane Harland, research associate, a Martin White, senior lecturer in public health, a Chris Drinkwater, senior lecturer in primary health care, a David Chinn, senior research associate, b Lorna Farr, research associate, a Denise Howel, senior lecturer in epidemiological statistics. c

a Health Promotion Research Group, School of Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, b Department of Physiological Sciences, Medical School, c Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Correspondence to: J Harland j.o.e.harland{at}newcastle.ac.uk

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of combinations of three methods to promote physical activity.
Design: Randomised controlled trial. Baseline assessment with post-intervention follow up at 12 weeks and 1 year.
Setting: One urban general practice, 1995-7.
Participants: 523 adults aged 40 to 64 years, randomised to four intervention groups and a control group.
Interventions: Brief (one interview) or intensive (six interviews over 12 weeks) motivational interviewing based on the stages of change model of behaviour change, with or without financial incentive (30 vouchers entitling free access to leisure facilities).
Main outcome measures: Physical activity score; sessions of moderate and vigorous activity in the preceding four weeks.
Results: Response rate was 81% at 12 weeks and 85% at one year. More participants in the intervention group reported increased physical activity scores at 12 weeks than controls (38% v 16%, difference 22%, 95% confidence interval for difference 13% to 32%), with a 55% increase observed in those offered six interviews plus vouchers. Vigorous activity increased in 29% of intervention participants and 11% of controls (difference 18%, 10% to 26%), but differences between the intervention groups were not significant. Short term increases in activity were not sustained, regardless of intensity of intervention.
Conclusions: The most effective intervention for promoting adoption of exercise was the most intensive. Even this did not promote long term adherence to exercise. Brief interventions promoting physical activity that are used by many schemes in the United Kingdom are of questionable effectiveness.


Key messages

  • Schemes promoting physical activity are currently popular in general practice in Britain, but few have been rigorously evaluated and their effectiveness is unknown.

  • In this study, the most effective intervention for promoting adoption of physical activity was the most intensive, involving six motivational interviews and a financial incentive

  • A comparatively brief intervention (one interview) was only effective in the short term in around a third of participants

  • Short term increases in physical activity were not maintained at one year follow up and even the most intensive intervention was ineffective in promoting long term adherence to increased physical activity.

  • National and local government, health authorities, and primary healthcare teams should be cautious about current and future expenditure on, and implementation of, exercise prescription or referral schemes




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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Newcastle Exercise Project
Marion McMurdo
bmj.com, 12 Oct 1999 [Full text]
Exercise on Prescription
Stephen Longworth, et al.
bmj.com, 14 Oct 1999 [Full text]
Conclusions drawn from the Newcastle project findings are misleading
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bmj.com, 14 Oct 1999 [Full text]
Newcastle Exercise Project asked the wrong questions and so got the wrong answers
Nanette Mutrie
bmj.com, 26 Oct 1999 [Full text]
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Frank Smith
bmj.com, 3 Nov 1999 [Full text]
Exercise on prescription
Peter J S Baker
bmj.com, 3 Nov 1999 [Full text]
Exercise Promotion and Longterm Adherence - The Jury Remains Out
Marko Petrovic
bmj.com, 17 Nov 1999 [Full text]
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Ngaire Kerse
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