Image: Minister for sport Hugh Robertson was heavily criticised in the report

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has called on the government to place more emphasis on preventative healthcare through increasing physical activity levels in the UK.

Publishing its report on sport and exercise science and medicine today (18 July), the committee bemoaned a lack of awareness and appropriate training for health professionals of the benefits of exercise based treatments.

It cites a recent survey of 48 London GP practices, which found that none were aware of the latest Physical Activity Guidelines.

The committee called the result a "missed opportunity" as the city prepares to host the Olympic Games.

The committee also heavily criticised the coalition government for a "lack of joined-up thinking" on the Olympic health legacy and singles out sport minister Hugh Robertson for admitting he was interested "only in increasing participation in sport, not using sport to improve the nation's health".

According to the report, it is "remarkable" that DCMS is not concerned with the health benefits of sport and it urges the government to deliver "a consistent approach to health, physical activity and sport".

The committee also expressed concern that the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), set up as part of Olympic legacy, may not be sustainable.

"The funding for NCSEM from government is a one-off £30m capital investment with no satisfactory strategy beyond that. We recommend that the Centre provide leadership in the sport and exercise science and medicine fields," said the committee.

Lord Krebs, chair of the Lords Science and Technology Committee said: "The London Olympics present a unique opportunity to improve public health and improve understanding of the benefits of physical activity both by the public and health care professionals.

"Our concern is that this opportunity could be lost. We find it extremely disappointing that so few London GPs are even aware of the Chief Medical Officer's Physical Activity Guidelines.

"The government is failing to act in a consistent way to ensure that the Olympics help us tackle one of our greatest health threats, sedentary lifestyles.

"We are particularly concerned that the sport minister did not accept any responsibility to use sport to improve public health, and so we are not convinced that the Olympic legacy will - as promised - help the nation be 'healthier, happier and more active'.

"The government must take a joined-up approach to sport, physical activity and health to ensure the Olympics deliver a lasting health legacy."

Commenting on the report, David Stalker, CEO, FIA said: "As the Royal College of Physicians highlighted only last week in its report Exercise for Life, there remains a lot of work to be done if we are to establish exercise as a routine part in the treatment and management of chronic disease. This report only serves to reinforce the importance of the health agenda for the sports and physical activity sector.

"Understanding the contribution that professionals in our sector can make is important but we have to recognise we are only one aspect of this challenge and that working with the medical professions is absolutely crucial.

"Building further understanding and awareness of our shared objective – a healthier and more active nation – is the key first step in the collaboration that is so vital to this agenda."

To read the full report from the select committee, click here.