New research is being carried out to determine the extent to which exercise referrals can change behaviour and boost levels of physical activity.

The project, to be carried out by the ukactive Research Institute, is a first for the industry. Working in partnership with exercise referral software and public health specialist ReferAll, ukactive will aim to create a pool of solid evidence from exercise referral schemes across the UK that can be used to engage with bodies such as Sport England and Public Health England in facilitating a nationwide rollout.

“Britain is in the grip of a cradle to grave physical inactivity crisis and exercise referrals have the potential to form a major part of the solution,” said Dr Steven Mann, research director for the ukactive Research Institute.

“We know the benefits that exercise brings to all areas of our lives and now is the time to provide clinical evidence to support this and build an overwhelming case for exercise referrals to be used as a frontline tool by GPs.

“With its knowledge and expertise, the physical activity sector has a starring role to play in this agenda and I would urge all operators to sign up to this research programme and help make nationwide exercise referral a reality.”

Operators that are running an exercise referral scheme and are interested in participating in the study can register their interest here.