GPs who send patients to exercise classes may be wasting their time and NHS cash, a study suggests.
Keep-fit referral began in the 1990s for those with long-term illness or at risk.
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But researchers have found they actually make a “meaningless” difference to body mass index, blood pressure and heart rate.
Participants typically attend NHS-funded cardiovascular and resistance training sessions for up to 16 weeks.
Activities may include skipping, cycling and weightlifting, which are designed to get the heart pumping and improve muscle strength. Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of long-term illness, with the cost of inactivity to the NHS estimated at £1.2billion in 2017.
But scientists at Solent University in Southampton warn referral schemes may not be as effective as hoped after reviewing outcomes for 23,731 people.
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Study leader Dr James Steele said some programmes appeared more effective than others.
He added: “These results demonstrate that, although many health and well-being outcomes improved, the changes did not achieve meaningful levels.
“This suggests the need to consider referral schemes more critically. We should be aiming to use NHS money as effectively as possible and need to find out which schemes get the best results and why.” The findings are in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
