Press Releases
SPARC says study confirms benefits of Green Prescriptions
15 Dec 2008
SPARC has welcomed the findings of a two-year study into prescribed
exercise, saying the results confirm Green Prescriptions (GRx) are an
effective way of increasing physical activity.
The results of the Women’s Lifestyle Study have been published in the British Medical Journal.
The research, which was led by Dr Beverley Lawton of the University of Otago Wellington, followed more than 1000 less active New Zealand women aged 40 to 70 years who were given an exercise prescription (a Green Prescription). The women had an initial nurse consultation, received telephone support from Sport Wellington Region’s trained personnel over nine months to help them become more physically active, and had a follow-up check with the nurse.
The study found that after 12 months, the number of women engaged in moderate physical activity (30 minutes on five or more days of the week) had increased from 10 percent to 42 percent. After two years, 39 percent were still achieving this.
SPARC Senior Advisor Health Diana O’Neill says the latest research adds to findings from a 2003 study, which also showed Green Prescriptions led to increased physical activity and improved quality of life.
"We know Green Prescriptions work and the research has confirmed this," she says.
"It is very pleasing to see 39 percent of the women involved in the study meeting the physical activity guidelines after two years because this shows they have experienced the benefits to their lifestyle that comes from participating in sport and physical recreation."
A Green Prescription is a health professional’s written advice to a patient to be physically active as part of their health management. The initiative is part-funded by the Ministry of Health.
The number of Green Prescriptions issued has been steadily increasing since the initiative was introduced in New Zealand 10 years ago.
In 2007/08, more than 26,000 people were given a Green Prescription. The aim is to increase GRx referrals to 50,000 patients by 2010 as part of an expansion project.
O’Neill says the target of 30,000 referrals this year is on track.
The Women’s Lifestyle Study was funded by grants from the New Zealand Heart Foundation, the Maori Health Directorate (Ministry of Health), SPARC, the Hutt Valley District Health Board and the New Zealand Lottery Health Research Grants Board.
Updated | 16 Dec 2008.
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