The use of exercise and exercise prescription in physiotherapy

Exercise is the core of physiotherapy, however other exercise professionals are expanding their roles into exercise for clinical applications in line with recent government legislation. Physiotherapists, as autonomous health professionals, educated in medical sciences and movement disorders, are uniquely placed to prescribe exercise and provide comprehensive treatment programmes outside the scope of other exercise professionals. Provision of patient centred holistic care by Physiotherapists who have a comprehensive skill set may provide the most cost-effective and efficient way to prevent readmissions and re-enable patients. However little is published about how exercise is currently used and prescribed in Physiotherapy practice.

Project objectives

This project has two stages. The initial stage was to identify and describe the scope and nature of exercise and exercise prescription in current physiotherapy practice by surveying physiotherapists across all settings and specialist areas. An electronic questionnaire was used to survey qualified practicing members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy working in the UK with adults over the age of 16 years. Practitioners were invited to take part in this study through the iCSP network and through the Allied Health Professions Research Network. 435 Physiotherapists participated in the survey and the rich data is currently being analysed by the research team. The second stage will be an in depth qualitative study investigating how and why physiotherapists prescribe exercise in common areas of practice.

Project impact

It is expected that the findings of this study will highlight areas of good practice and potential areas for development of exercise prescription in physiotherapy practice in the UK.

Research team

Dr Angela Glynn

Dr Raija Kuisma

Dr Liz Bryant

Dr Vinette Cross

Mr Guy Canby

Ms Helen Fiddler

Mrs Clair Hebron