BACKGROUND: Inadequate monitoring and participant profiling have so far prevented a detailed examination of who Physical Activity Referral Schemes (PARS) are accessible to and appropriate for. As a result, the nature of the role for PARS within public health is unknown. METHODS: Participants were all those referred to a countywide PARS during a three-year period (n = 3568). Participant age, gender and the deprivation level and rurality of their area of residence were compared with the average for the county population. Characteristics associated with referral uptake (attending > or =1 exercise session) and completion (> or =80% attendance), were identified using logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with the county average, participants were older, more predominantly female (61.1 vs 51.4%) and lived in more deprived areas (p < 0.001). Referral uptake (n = 2864) was most likely in those aged 60-69 years, and least likely for residents of rural villages and the most deprived areas (all p < 0.001). For participants who took up referral, completion was most likely in men and the over-seventies (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PARS format may be inappropriate for younger adults or people living in relative deprivation and rural areas. They appear most appropriate for adults of middle-to-old age who are more likely to require supervision, and should be targeted accordingly.
BACKGROUND: Inadequate monitoring and participant profiling have so far prevented a detailed examination of who Physical Activity Referral Schemes (PARS) are accessible to and appropriate for. As a result, the nature of the role for PARS within public health is unknown. METHODS:Participants were all those referred to a countywide PARS during a three-year period (n = 3568). Participant age, gender and the deprivation level and rurality of their area of residence were compared with the average for the county population. Characteristics associated with referral uptake (attending > or =1 exercise session) and completion (> or =80% attendance), were identified using logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with the county average, participants were older, more predominantly female (61.1 vs 51.4%) and lived in more deprived areas (p < 0.001). Referral uptake (n = 2864) was most likely in those aged 60-69 years, and least likely for residents of rural villages and the most deprived areas (all p < 0.001). For participants who took up referral, completion was most likely in men and the over-seventies (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PARS format may be inappropriate for younger adults or people living in relative deprivation and rural areas. They appear most appropriate for adults of middle-to-old age who are more likely to require supervision, and should be targeted accordingly.
Authors: Coral L Hanson; Lis Neubeck; Richard G Kyle; Norrie Brown; Robyn Gallagher; Robyn A Clark; Sheona McHale; Susan Dawkes Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-10 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Simon Murphy; Larry Raisanen; Graham Moore; Rhiannon Tudor Edwards; Pat Linck; Nefyn Williams; Nafees Ud Din; Janine Hale; Chris Roberts; Elaine McNaish; Laurence Moore Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2010-06-18 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Caryl M Beynon; Amy Luxton; Rhiannon Whitaker; N Tim Cable; Lucy Frith; Adrian H Taylor; Lu Zou; Peter Angell; Scott Robinson; Dave Holland; Sharon Holland; Mark Gabbay Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2013-05-28 Impact factor: 2.692