The Green Prescription Study: a Randomized Controlled Trial of Written Exercise Advice Provided by General Practitioners

Overview

Journal Am J Public Health

Specialty Public Health

Date 1998 Mar 10

PMID 9491025

Citations 68

Authors

B A Swinburn

L G Walter

B Arroll

M W Tilyard

D G Russell

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether written advice from general practitioners increases physical activity among sedentary people more than verbal advice alone.

Methods: Sedentary patients (n = 456) received verbal advice on increasing physical activity and were then randomized to an exercise prescription (green prescription) group or a verbal advice group.

Results: The number of people engaging in any recreational physical activity at 6 weeks increased substantially, but significantly more so in the green prescription group. Also, more participants in the green prescription group increased their activity over the period.

Conclusions: A written goal-oriented exercise prescription, in addition to verbal advice, is a useful tool for general practitioners in motivating their parents to increase physical activity.

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