Regular physical activity (PA) reduces the blood pressure (BP) of individuals with hypertension. The present review analysed the scientific evidence for the BP lowering effect of aerobic PA in 27 randomised controlled studies on individuals with hypertension, and shows that regular medium-to-high-intensity aerobic activity reduces the BP by a mean of 11/5 mm Hg (level of evidence, 3+). In addition, three randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on isometric (static) activity showed a BP reduction of similar magnitude in hypertensives; dynamic resistance training may show less effect, as shown in five available RCTs (level of evidence 2+). As both the prevalence of hypertension and physical inactivity are high and increasing in today's society, PA has a great role to play as a single (when indicated) or additive treatment for hypertension. Furthermore, as competitive athletes are getting older, it can be expected that more athletes at different competitive levels will have hypertension. Certain considerations must be applied regarding evaluation and treatment of hypertension in athletes. Eligibility for competitive sports may be affected if target organ damage (TOD) is present; however, an athlete with well-controlled BP, having no additional risk factors or TOD, is eligible for all sports.

ObjectivesThis study investigates the effects of the core elements of the Swedish model for physical activity on prescription (PAP) by evaluating studies that compared adults who received PAP with adults who did not receive PAP. All participants were adults identified by a healthcare professional as in need of increased physical activity. Primary outcome was level of physical activity.DesignSystematic review.Eligibility criteria(1) Published 1999. (2) Systematic review, randomised controlled trial (RCT), non-RCT or case series (for adverse events). (3) ≥12 weeks’ follow-up. (4) Performed in the Nordic countries. (5) Presented in English, Swedish, Norwegian or Danish.Data sourcesSystematic searches in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, AMED, CINAHL and SweMed+ in September 2017. Included articles were evaluated using checklists to determine risk of bias.ResultsNine relevant articles were included: seven RCTs, one cohort study and one case series. Primary outcome was reported in seven articles from six studies (five RCTs, one cohort study, 642 participants). Positive results were reported from three of the five RCTs and from the cohort study. No study reported any negative results. Swedish PAP probably results in an increased level of physical activity (GRADE⊕⊕⊕Ο).ConclusionsAlthough the number of the reviewed articles was relatively modest, this systematic review shows that PAP in accordance with the Swedish model probably increases the level of physical activity. As a model for exercise prescription, Swedish PAP may be considered as part of regular healthcare to increase physical activity in patients.

There is strong evidence that inadequate physical activity (PA) leads to an increased risk of lifestyle-related diseases and premature mortality. Physical activity on prescription (PAP) is a method to increase the level of PA of patients in primary care, but needs further evaluation. The aim of this observational study was to explore the association between PAP-treatment and the PA level of patients with metabolic risk factors and the relationship between changes in the PA level and health outcomes at the 6 month follow-up. This study included 444 patients in primary care, aged 27–85 years (56% females), who were physically inactive with at least one component of metabolic syndrome. The PAP-treatment model included: individualized dialogue concerning PA, prescribed PA, and a structured follow-up. A total of 368 patients (83%) completed the 6 months of follow-up. Of these patients, 73% increased their PA level and 42% moved from an inadequate PA level to sufficient, according to public health recommendations. There were significant improvements (p≤ 0.05) in the following metabolic risk factors: body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein. There were also significant improvements regarding health-related quality of life, assessed by the Short Form 36, in: general health, vitality, social function, mental health, role limitation-physical/emotional, mental component summary, and physical component summary. Regression analysis showed a significant association between changes in the PA level and health outcomes. During the first 6-month period, the caregiver provided PAP support 1–2 times. This study indicates that an individual-based model of PAP-treatment has the potential to change people’s PA behavior with improved metabolic risk factors and self-reported quality of life at the 6 month follow-up. Thus, PAP seems to be feasible in a clinical primary care practice, with minimum effort from healthcare professionals.

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Background There is robust evidence that regular physical activity (PA) has positive health effects. However, the best PA methods and the most important correlates for promoting PA remain unclear. Physical activity on prescription (PAP) aims to increase the patient’s motivation for and level of PA. This study investigated possible predictive baseline correlates associated with changes in the PA level over a 6-month period of PAP treatment in order to identify the primary care patients most likely to benefit from a PAP intervention. Methods The study included 444 patients with metabolic risk factors who were aged 27 to 85 years and physically inactive. The patients received PAP treatment that included individual counseling plus an individually-tailored PA recommendation with a written prescription and individualised structured follow-up for 6 months. Eight baseline correlates of PA were analysed against the PA level at the 6-month follow-up in a predictor analysis. Results Five baseline correlates predicted the PA level at the 6-month follow-up: self-efficacy expectations for changing PA; the patient’s preparedness and confidence regarding readiness to change PA; a BMI <  30; and a positive valued physical health. The proportion of patients increasing the PA level and achieving a PA level that was in accordance with public health recommendations was higher with a positive valued baseline correlate. The odds of achieving the recommended PA level increased substantially when 2 to 4 predictive correlates were present. PA levels increased to a greater extent among patients with low PA at baseline than patients with high PA at baseline, especially in combination with 2 to 4 positively-valued correlates (87–95% vs. 62–75%). Conclusions This study identified potential predictive correlates of an increased PA level after a 6-month PAP intervention. This contributes to our understanding of PAP and could help individualise PAP support. The proportion of patients with the lowest PA level at baseline increased their PA level in a higher extent (84%) and thus may benefit the most from PAP. These results have clinical implications for behavioural change in those patients having the greatest health gains by increasing their PA level. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ; NCT03586011 . Retrospectively registered on July 17, 2018. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-6830-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Background Physical activity (PA) can be used to prevent and treat diseases. In Sweden, licensed healthcare professionals use PA on prescription (PAP) to support patients to increase their PA level. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate a 2-year intervention of two different strategies of PAP treatment for patients with insufficient PA level, after a previous 6-month period of ordinary PAP treatment in a primary health care setting. Methods We included 190 patients, 27–77 years, physically inactive with metabolic risk factors where the patients were not responding to a previous 6-month PAP treatment with increased PA. The patients were randomized to either enhanced support from a physiotherapist (PT group) or continued ordinary PAP treatment at the health care centre (HCC group). The PAP treatment included an individualized dialogue; an individually dosed PA recommendation, including a written prescription; and a structured follow-up. In addition to PAP, the PT group received aerobic fitness tests and more frequent scheduled follow-ups. The patient PA level, metabolic health, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were measured at baseline and at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. Results At the 2-year follow-up, 62.9% of the PT group and 50.8% of the HCC group had increased their PA level and 31.4% vs. 38.5% achieved ≥ 150 min of moderate-intensity PA/week (difference between groups n.s.). Over 2 years, both groups displayed increased high-density lipoproteins (HDL) (p = 0.004 vs. baseline), increased mental health status (MCS) (p = 0.036), and reduced body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.001), with no difference between groups. Conclusion During long-term PAP interventions, the PA level, metabolic health, and HRQOL increased in patients at metabolic risk without significant differences between groups. The results indicate to be independent of any changes in pharmacological treatment. We demonstrated that the PAP treatment was feasible in ordinary primary care. Both the patients and the healthcare system benefitted from the improvement in metabolic risk factors. Future studies should elucidate effective long-term PAP-treatment strategies. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03012516. Registered on 30 December 2016—retrospectively registered.

Background Physical inactivity is a main cause of childhood obesity which tracks into adulthood obesity, making it important to address early in life. Physical activity on prescription (PAP) is an evidence-based intervention that has shown good effect on physical activity levels in adults, but has not been evaluated in children with obesity. This project aims to evaluate the prerequisites, determinants, and feasibility of implementing PAP adapted to children with obesity and to explore children’s, parents’, and healthcare providers’ experiences of PAP. Methods In the first phase of the project, healthcare providers and managers from 26 paediatric clinics in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, will be invited to participate in a web-based survey and a subset of this sample for a focus group study. Findings from these two data collections will form the basis for adaptation of PAP to the target group and context. In a second phase, this adapted PAP intervention will be evaluated in a clinical study in a sample of approximately 60 children with obesity (ISO-BMI > 30) between 6 and 12 years of age and one of their parents/legal guardians. Implementation process and clinical outcomes will be assessed pre- and post-intervention and at 8 and 12 months’ follow-up. Implementation outcomes are the four core constructs of the Normalization Process Theory; coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, and reflexive monitoring; and appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility of the PAP intervention. Additional implementation process outcomes are recruitment and attrition rates, intervention fidelity, dose, and adherence. Clinical outcomes are physical activity pattern, BMI, metabolic risk factors, health-related quality of life, sleep, and self-efficacy and motivation for physical activity. Lastly, we will explore the perspectives of children and parents in semi-structured interviews. Design and analysis of the included studies are guided by the Normalization Process Theory. Discussion This project will provide new knowledge regarding the feasibility of PAP for children with obesity and about whether and how an evidence-based intervention can be fitted and adapted to new contexts and populations. The results may inform a larger scale trial and future implementation and may enhance the role of PAP in the management of obesity in paediatric health care in Sweden. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04847271, registered 14 April 2021.