Active Start
What is the Active Start Scheme?
The Active Start scheme is an exercise on referral scheme, sometimes described as "exercise on prescription". The scheme has been in operation for over ten years, with many local surgeries in Mid Devon participating. The benefits of exercise on the mind and body are well documented, and local health professionals are able to refer many patients whose conditions and general health could greatly improve by including personalised exercise programmes into their lives.
The Active Start scheme is the easy, sociable and fun way to exercise. Active Start members benefit in so many ways, one of which is receiving one to one attention from specially qualified fitness professionals who design exercise programme to benefit their individual needs and conditions. The scheme consists of about twelve weeks of personalised exercise under the watchful eye of qualified fitness instructors in this field.
Who Can Join
Participation on the scheme is by referral only, from a health professional. If you feel that you could benefit, speak to your local surgery and ask them if you could be referred. A wide variety of people may join, young or old, whether or not you have exercised before. The patients referred to use include those who have conditions or health considerations such as these:
- low fitness levels
- overweight
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- angina
- osteoporosis
- arthritus
- back pain
- joint or muscle problems
- respiratory disorders
- mental illness
- epilepsy
- cancer patients
There are more conditions that could be added to this list, and many patients have more than one condition. Your health professional will be able to advise you if you are suitable to join the scheme.
The Benefits of Active Start
There are many benefits to be gained from joining this scheme. Here are just a few of them.
- improved muscle tone
- improved strength
- improved fitness
- increased energy levels
- improved mobility
- improved flexibility
- a decrease in body fat
- maintaining a healthy body weight
- reduced blood pressure
- reduced cholesterol levels
- reduced risk of heart disease
- improved feeling of well being
- a boost in confidence level
- making new friends
Of course these things will not happen overnight, but by including exercise as part of your life which has been designed especially for you and your health considerations you will soon feel the benefits. Some of these are measurable, so you will be able to compare the before and after measurements! In order to achieve some benefits you will need to be committed to attending an Active Start session at least once a week. Your instructor will make recommendations about this, and what your realistic goals are likely to be in the short and long term.
