BHFNC Active

Issue 04 ›› 2010/2011

BHFNC

News from BHF National Centre for physical activity+health

inside this issue: Welcome...
to the fourth issue of the BHFNC Newsletter. 2010 has been another
busy year within the National Centre and there have also been
important developments nationally which have implications for
YOUNG PEOPLE
Making physical physical activity, in particular the policy and funding changes
activity more introduced by the new Coalition Government.
engaging and The new government has made a commitment to public health which is positive, however it
enjoyable for all remains to be seen how the significant structural changes and funding cuts proposed will impact
on physical activity promotion.
Whilst there is some uncertainty about the future, it is clear that there is a continuing need
for those promoting physical activity to work together to find evidence-based, cost-effective
PRIMARY CARE approaches to physical activity promotion across the lifespan. The BHFNC remain committed to
Raising the profile of continue working with partners on this.
physical activity for the
In this newsletter we are pleased to share with you some of our current projects and successes
prevention, treatment
within the Centre:
and management of
long-term conditions Young People
Flames programme gets national go ahead – Flames: Lighting the way is one of the first
Inspire programmes to be granted a national licence in recognition of its ability to support young
people to be more active and bring the inspiration of the 2012 games to every part of the UK.
For more information on Flames resources and training in your area go to Page 2.
RESEARCH AND
Primary Care
EVALUATION BHFNC launch Exercise Referral Toolkit – This series of downloadable resources provides an
Building the easy-to-read, practical guide for professionals involved in exercise referral schemes.
evidence base Find out how it could help you on Page 4.
Research and Evaluation
Walking initiatives, what works? – BHFNC is currently evaluating three projects which are being
delivered by Living Streets as part of the national Travel Actively portfolio. The aim is to enable
currently inactive people to fit walking or cycling into their daily lives.
To find out more go to Page 6.
OLDER ADULTS Older Adults
Don’t stop me now! Active Ageing – The BHFNC has been working with the Full of Life programme at the
Department of Work and Pensions to produce a series of resources to assist professionals to raise
the public profile of Active Ageing by organising local events and activities.
For information on resources and how you can get involved see Page 7.
Coming soon...
New UK Physical Activity guidelines – Work on the development of new guidelines in the UK
initially began in mid 2009. Following an extensive review and consultation process, new physical
INFORMATION activity guidelines are due to be launched in March 2011.
SERVICES See Page 8 for more information.
Here to help! We hope you continue to enjoy learning more about the BHFNC and find the links to our website
and other resources useful. If you have any feedback or would like to contact us please email
bhfnc@lboro.ac.uk

www.bhfactive.org.uk | tel: 01509 226421

p2 YOUNG PEOPLE
Making physical activity more engaging and enjoyable

Resource News Active Club Festival Guide
Following the recent series of Active Club festivals, this guide has
Active Club Inclusion Guide been released to be used alongside the Active Club pack to help out
and Training of school clubs and settings plan and deliver their own Active Club
Festival – a special event to celebrate children and young people’s
This new guide and associated training has been produced participation and achievements in physical activity. It provides an
to provide practitioners and those working with children and easy to use step-by-step guide with practical tips and templates to
young people with practical advice and tips on: help clubs and settings set up and
• The key principles of inclusion and the inclusion spectrum as a run their own festival based on the
tool for practice. Active Club format. Whether it is a
first festival or you are a veteran, this
• Activities linked to the inclusion spectrum.
guide will help you make the Active
• Catering for the needs and abilities of all children and young Club Festival a day to remember.
people.
This user-friendly guide includes
The practical training offers an introduction and overview helpful information to support you
of the new guide. It also explores some of the core themes in organising your event, such as:
and provides an opportunity to practise some of the delivery
techniques, approaches and activity ideas for engaging all • Activities and how to score them.
children and young people. • How to find an appropriate
venue.
For further information please contact Anna Chalkley at:
a.e.chalkley@lboro.ac.uk or phone 01509 226423 • How to publicise the event.
• Safety considerations.
For further information please

Project News contact Anna Chalkley at:
a.e.chalkley@lboro.ac.uk or phone 01509 226423

Flames Programme Gets National Go Ahead Early Years
‘Flames: Lighting the way’, has been given licence from the London Organising Committee for the Advisory Group
Olympic Games (LOCOG) to be rolled out nationally. Inspired by 2012, Flames aims to educate young
In the last year the BHFNC
people about the history and culture of the Olympic Games, whilst motivating them to be more
has identified early years as
physically active.
a new work stream. Despite
It is one of the first Inspire programmes to be granted the licence in recognition of its ability to there being a wealth of
support children and young people to be more active and its potential to help bring the inspiration physical activity work already
of the 2012 games to every part of the UK. happening in early years, it
appears many people are
Following a successful pilot in Loughborough, other local
working in isolation and there
projects are now being invited to join the Flames programme
is currently little national
and receive FREE resources and training to help run it in their
co-ordination and support
area. All those who become involved will be eligible to use the
for early years practitioners
much sought after Inspire mark, a highly valued logo which
over and above the Early Years
can help reach new audiences and forge new partnerships.
Foundation Stage. The BHFNC
The BHFNC in partnership with Loughborough College will believes that there is a need to
be hosting a series of FREE regional Flames training to explain capture existing learning and
more about the programme and how it can be delivered. create a collaborative which can
be a powerful voice to promote
For more information and to find out when your nearest
a better understanding of the
training is, please contact Anna Chalkley on 01509 226423 or
roles that physical activity can
email: a.e.chalkley@lboro.ac.uk, alternatively visit the website
play in the lives of children in
at: www.loughboroughflames.com
the early years.


for all

Development of Early Years Frameworks
p3
National Following discussions which have taken place at our Early Years Advisory Group meetings, the
Physical BHFNC has decided to convene two working groups to begin consultation with a number of key
Activity Audits early years practitioners to work on the development of:
of Early Years 1. A National Early Years Framework for physical literacy.
Settings 2. A National Healthy Settings Award/Framework.
The BHFNC has recently It is hoped that these national frameworks will assist early years practitioners in developing
been involved in carrying frameworks within their local areas and enable those with existing frameworks to review their practice.
out two national audits of
The BHFNC will also use findings from these working groups together with research evidence and
physical activity provision
data from our audits to determine whether or not there is a need to develop a resource and/or
for the under 5s in Children’s
training for early years practitioners and to identify what these should look like.
Centres and in a sample of
nurseries across the UK.

Training
These audits aim to:
• Identify the national picture Top Tips -
of active play provision
Engaging all
within Children’s Centres
and nurseries.
Jump Rope for Schools: A CPD children and
• Highlight innovation and
workshop for teachers and support staff young people

1
good practice. Experience first-hand how skipping can be used as part of the five
hour offer. It is an excellent activity for PE lessons, for the playground Talk to children to find
• Identify any gaps in and for an after school club.
provision and inform how
out what activities they
best the BHFNC can assist
find fun and want to
and support Children’s
do, include experiences
Centres and nurseries
for children to take
improve and/or extend
on different roles and

2
their physical activity
responsibilities.
provision for the under 5s Highlight and
and their families. promote a wide
range of activities and
The data collected from emphasise the value of
these audits will be

3
all types of activity.
analysed and following this, Set manageable and
a report will be available appropriate tasks to
to download from ensure all children can
www.bhfactive.org.uk achieve at their own

4
level.
For further information on Workshops for pupils Use promotions,
BHFNC early years work Workshops for pupils delivered during curriculum time are also challenges and/or
contact: Angela Newport, available. Teachers and support staff will benefit from seeing events to stimulate
Consultant - Young People a workshop delivered by an experienced instructor, who will

5
participation.
Tel: 01509 226423 Email: demonstrate how to involve the whole class in a range of jump rope
activities. Single sessions, half day or full day visits available; with the Use appropriate
angelanewport@btinternet.com
option to have a whole school or year group assembly. kit, resources and
equipment – consider
Our workshops are delivered on a not for profit basis and the charges relaxing your policy
made are to cover costs. to encourage more

6
children to join in.
Skipping (jump rope) is a great activity for children. It is a fun Adopt appropriate
and enjoyable way for pupils to work towards their 60 minutes leadership and learning
of activity per day. styles focussing on
children feeling good,
For more information, or to make a booking please contact Margaret being confident and
Couldwell on 01509 226418 or email: m.couldwell@lboro.ac.uk enjoying what they do.
Dodgeball workshops (for teachers and pupils) are also available.


p4 PRIMARY CARE
Raising the profile of physical activity for the prevention,

Resource news Project news
Parental Advice Leaflets for Children with Promoting physical activity
Long Term Conditions through Exercise Referral
As part of the distance learning course ‘Physical activity for children and young schemes: A Quick Reference
people with long term medical conditions’, the BHFNC has developed a series of Guide
parental advice booklets on physical activity for children with diabetes, asthma,
obesity or congenital heart conditions. This quick reference guide aims to provide healthcare
professionals with background information on
The booklets are designed as a supportive tool promoting physical activity through exercise referral
for professionals such as PE teachers, exercise schemes. The short guide:
instructors, early years practitioners, and
play/youth workers, to hand out to parents/ • Promotes the health benefits of physical activity.
carers who express concerns about their • Outlines the range of options which can be used
child engaging in school PE lessons or other by primary care practitioners to promote physical
physical activity sessions. activity.

Due to the popularity of the booklets they • Distinguishes between the concepts of
can now be downloaded online at: recommendation and referral.
www.bhfactive.org.uk/primary-care • Attempts to clarify when a referral to a scheme might
be most appropriate.
New versions of the booklets will be
available to order and/or download from Coming soon check www.bhfactive.org.uk regularly
Spring 2011. for more information.

Exercise Referral Toolkit Launched A simple tool to aid the
The toolkit aims to provide an easy-to-read, practical guide for professionals promotion of physical
involved in the delivery, coordination, commissioning and evaluation of exercise activity in primary care
referral schemes. A series of downloadable resources have been developed to
The BHFNC and Welsh Assembly Government are
assist professionals in the design, implementation and evaluation of exercise
working in partnership with the Canadian Society
referral schemes. These resources include guidance for:
of Exercise Physiologists (CSEP) to pilot test a new
• Referring healthcare professionals. tool in primary care which is based on a series of
• Exercise professionals working with systematic chronic condition decision trees.
referred patients. The purpose of this new tool is to enhance the
• Exercise referral scheme coordinators. safety of physical activity clearance and improve
physical activity pathways for patients with
• Commissioning exercise referral
various chronic conditions. The CSEP evidence
schemes.
based decision trees allow for more effective risk
• Evaluating exercise referral schemes. stratification for people living with various chronic
As well as: conditions.

• A qualifications and training guide. Updates on the status of the project will appear at
www.bhfactive.org.uk
• Sample forms, templates letters,
evaluation tools and questionnaires.
To visit the dedicated exercise referral
microsite and download the toolkit, please
visit: www.bhfnc-exercisereferral.org.uk


treatment and management of long-term conditions
p5
Did you know?
Training • Over 17.5 million people
in the UK are living with
Brief Interventions a long-term medical
condition:
Training: Improving • 45% of people now live
Patient Interactions with more than one
condition.
This two day introductory course is
designed for exercise and/or health • Depression occurs in 20%
professionals who work one-to- of all people living with
a chronic physical health
one with patients. The goal of the
problem.
course is to build professionals’
skills to empower patients to take • Habitual physical activity
is associated with a
responsibility for their own health
reduced risk for over 25
and explore innovative ways of chronic conditions and
helping clients/patients to adopt premature mortality.
healthier lifestyles.
• Physical activity can
be used as adjunctive
treatment or management
Distance Learning Course: Physical Activity for Children strategy for many long-
and Young People with Long Term Conditions term conditions. For
example, physical activity
The course aims to provide professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to plan and safely can be used to treat the late
adapt physical activity sessions for children and young people with asthma, diabetes, obesity and and long term effects of
congenital heart conditions. cancer, such as depression
and cancer-related fatigue.
The course is suitable for specialist and non-specialist PE teachers, early years/play practitioners, youth Helping patients who
workers, teaching assistants, activity club leaders/coaches, and lunchtime supervisors. have cancer become more
active can help improve
To register your interest in any these courses please contact Sarah Wortley on 01509 226419 or
their quality of life and can
email s.a.wortley@lboro.ac.uk We can also provide bespoke in-house training packages for up to 25
improve overall survival
participants, for further information visit: www.bhfactive.org.uk/primary-care rates for some tumour
groups.
• Physical activity or
graded exercise therapy
is recommended in
BACR Phase IV Exercise NICE clinical guidelines
Instructor Cardiac for many long term
conditions. Such as
Rehabilitation Training chronic fatigue syndrome/
myalgic encephalomyelitis
The BACR Phase IV Exercise Instructor course
(ME), chronic heart failure,
was developed in 1998 supported by the
chronic obstructive
British Heart Foundation and is delivered by the pulmonary disease,
BACR, which is an affiliated group of the British dementia, type 2 diabetes,
Cardiac Society. The aim of the course is to depression with chronic
equip students with the knowledge and skills to physical health problems,
prescribe and deliver safe and effective exercise hypertension, low back
for individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD) pain, myocardial infarction,
who have already benefited from a hospital osteoarthritis, and
based rehabilitation programme. rheumatoid arthritis.

For course dates and locations, visit: • The risks associated with
being physically inactive
www.bacrphaseiv.co.uk
are markedly higher than
the transient risks seen after
acute exercise.


p6
Assessing the impact of
RESEARCH AND EVALUATION
Building the evidence base

Top tips for
walking initiatives: What works? Programme
BHFNC are currently evaluating three projects which are Evaluation
being delivered by Living Streets as part of the national
Travel Actively portfolio www.travelactively.org.uk. The Programme evaluation
overall aim of the portfolio is to improve people’s health should include outcome,
and well-being by working together to enable currently economic and process
inactive people to incorporate walking and cycling into measures. Process evaluation
is used to monitor and
their everyday lives. The projects commenced in January document programme
2008 and will conclude in December 2011. implementation and can
The three projects delivered by Living Streets are: provide valuable insight into
why a programme was or was
• Fitter for Walking – a community-based project which aims to work with local residents to improve not successful. Key issues
their local environment and promote walking for short journeys. Evaluation activities include route to be addressed in process
evaluation include:

1
user counts, route user surveys, resident’s surveys, focus groups and stakeholder interviews.
• Step Up – a national campaign to promote walking to school in secondary school students
including Free your Feet, a week long walking challenge. Evaluation activities include surveys with Was the programme
delivered as it was
pupils, parents, teachers and school travel advisers. initially planned; were
• Walking Works – a national campaign to promote walking for all or part of the journey to work and some components
during the working day. Evaluation activities focus on five workplaces that are part of the Campaign modified or even
dropped completely?
Partner Scheme and include employee surveys, interviews with Walking Champions and focus

2
groups with employees.
How much did
The results from the evaluation of these three projects will be available early in 2012. participants engage
Information about Living Streets’ projects can be found at: www.livingstreets.org.uk, with programme
content and how
www.stepup.org.uk, www.walkingworks.org.uk
satisfied were they
For more information about the evaluation of Living Streets’ projects contact Emma Adams: with both content and
e.j.adams@lboro.ac.uk delivery?

3
Did the programme
reach its intended
audience or were
Dr Andy Atkin joins some people excluded
Evaluation of the Ramblers Family the Research and and unable to access
Walking Programme Evaluation Team
the material?

4
The Furness Families Walk4Life programme was initiated by
the Department of Health and was developed by the Ramblers Andy joined the team in August Were local conditions
2010 as a Research Associate (context) important in
in partnership with Action for Children. The programme was programme success
evaluated by researchers from the BHFNC and the British Heart in the area of research and
evaluation. Prior to joining the or failure; how can this
Foundation Health Promotion Research Group (BHF HPRG) based information inform
at the University of Oxford. Centre, he completed his PhD at
future development
Loughborough University, focusing or delivery of the
The Furness Families Walk4Life Programme aimed to get families on the physical activity and programme?
walking together, engaging parents and carers as well as their sedentary behaviour patterns of
children making walking an integral part of family life. The 12 adolescents during the after school
week walking intervention was designed to encourage regular period, and studied epidemiology
independent walking close to home as part of everyday life - not at the University of Cambridge.
only health and leisure walks but every day trips to the shops, Andy’s research interests include
school or work. measurement of physical activity
and sedentary behaviour, young
Overall, the project was successful at engaging young families,
people and evidence synthesis and
who reported positive experiences of the programme. The
communication.
evaluation report highlights 34 implications for future practice.
Andy’s contact details:
These implications for practice can be found on page 72 – 76
Tel: 01509 226422
of the evaluation report. To download the report, please visit
Email: a.j.atkin@lboro.ac.uk


OLDER ADULTS
Don’t stop me now!
p7
5 top tips for
promoting
physical activity

1
The BHFNC has been working with the Full of Life programme at the Department of Work and
Pensions to produce a series of resources to assist professionals to raise the public profile of Active with older people
Ageing by organising local Active Ageing events and activities. Define your target
Active Ageing events are designed to: audience Be clear about
which group(s) of older
• Provide a national and local profile to celebrate and promote the concept of Active Ageing. people you want to
reach.

2
• Provide support for local Active Ageing events and programmes.
Clarify the
• Stimulating debate and policy on active ageing. promotional message
• Ensure that older people are included in all celebratory events and festivals designed to leave Decide on a tailored
a health and physical activity legacy. message that you want
to use and ensure
Active Ageing events are designed to target all older people 65+ but also permit local that your aims are
organisations to adopt different approaches with individuals and groups with different needs and achievable, motivational
in a variety of settings. and relevant.

3
To support organisations who wish to stage their own local events, we have developed a series of Use the most
resources that provide advice and guidance on planning local Active Ageing events: appropriate
communication
• The Active Ageing Coordinator’s Planning Guide provides step by step suggestions on how to channels Examine the
promote Active Ageing events, and other activities. best ways of reaching
your target group(s)
• The Guide to Active Ageing Promotion provides guidance on reaching different groups of older and look at partner
people, how to work with the media to secure coverage of your Active Ageing events. organisations who will
help you reach them.

4
• Active Ageing Ideas for Action is full of ideas on how to promote Active Ageing events and
activities that promote physical activity with older people. ‘You can do it’ Use
messages that recognise
• Active Ageing Community Organisation’s Guide is for local community organisations and groups the obstacles that
to organise their own Active Ageing event. older people face and
highlight that physical
To access these resources, please visit www.active-ageing-events.org.uk activity will help them

5
take control of their lives.

‘Someone like us’
People living with dementia People identify best with
messages when they
and physical activity can identify with the
people and activities in
There are currently over 700,000 people living with dementia in the the materials.
UK and this figure is projected to double over the next 30 years. There
is growing evidence to confirm that physical activity has an important For more information on
role to play in both the prevention of dementia and the care and promoting physical activity
wellbeing of people living with dementia. with older people visit
the BHFNC Active Ageing
The BHFNC is working with national partners on a programme of
Promotion Guide at: www.
guidance and support for those involved in providing services for
active-ageing-events.org.uk
people living with dementia. This aims to ensure that physical activity
remains an entitlement and an integral part of care and treatment
throughout the dementia journey. The programme includes:
• Mapping of current practice in dementia care models.
• Awareness raising (e.g. evidence-based fact sheets). Date for your diary
• The development of practice guidelines for commissioners, service 13th – 17th August 2012
managers and physical activity professionals. The BHFNC in partnership with Glasgow
Caledonian University continue to work towards
We will be looking to host seminars around physical activity
and dementia early in 2011, keep an eye on www.bhfactive.org.uk the programme for the 2012 World Congress on Active Ageing –
to be held on 13th – 17th August 2012 at the Scottish Exhibition
Centre, Glasgow.
For further information, visit: www.wcaa2012.com


p8
INFORMATION SERVICES
Here to help! The BHFNC Information Officers keep up-to-date on
physical activity related research and practice across the
UK and worldwide to ensure that you are kept up-to-date.

NEW BHFNC website Saving you time Got a
The BHFNC website has been re-launched!
The Information Officers burning
summarise key documents in
The modern and user-friendly website
the area of physical activity question?
is easier to navigate and features a
and health – drawing out the The BHFNC Helpline
wealth of information, publications and
key implications for physical aims to answer all
resources for each of our key areas. We
activity practitioners. These your questions on
hope this website will support you in
summaries should save you time physical activity and health.
your work. www.bhfactive.org.uk
and resources and ensure you Whether you are looking for
are kept up-to-date with all the the latest obesity prevalence
latest developments in the field. statistics or resources to
encourage activity in the
The latest physical activity evidence Keep an eye on
workplace, our Information
www.bhfactive.org.uk or
and statistics sign-up to our database to Officers will endeavour to point
ensure that you don’t miss out. you in the right direction. Please
BHFNC produce a range of contemporary physical activity call us on 01509 226421 or
factsheets on topical issues such as: send your question to
• Obesity, physical activity and adults. bhfnc@lboro.ac.uk
• Physical activity and health.
• Physical inactivity and economics.
These fact sheets can be used to make the case for physical activity Coming soon…
intervention or for health and physical activity professionals
to increase and update their knowledge. Fact sheets can be New physical activity guidelines
downloaded from: www.bhfactive.org.uk Work on the development of new physical activity guidelines in
the UK started with planning and working groups being formed
in Mid 2009. Following this there was a review of the latest
Keep up-to-date Sharing practice scientific evidence on physical activity and health, a two-day
We distribute a bi-monthly We produce comprehensive scientific meeting in October 2009, a national web consultation
‘Sharing Practice Booklets’,
update to our database of phase in December 2010 and the drafting of a technical report.
showcasing a range of projects
professionals. This update The final Technical Report, completed in May 2010, reports on
from across the UK. The call for
brings the latest developments these projects to be submitted the review and consultation undertaken on physical activity
in physical activity and health to the BHFNC for inclusion in the guidelines and presents the final set of recommendations for
straight to your inbox and booklet is typically announced consideration by the home country governments for the new
features all the latest resources each summer. These booklets UK physical activity guidelines. Additional, complementary work
and publications, funding aim to: has also been completed to assess the scientific evidence on
opportunities, • Encourage sharing of practice physical activity in early years, and sedentary behaviours.
conferences, events among health and physical
and much more. activity professionals. In the past month considerable progress has been made and
along with the governments’ commitment to completing this
Sign-up to our • Increase awareness of the
work, a Physical Activity Guidelines Editorial Group (PAGEG)
database – It’s FREE! range of interventions taking
place across the UK.
has now been established which will develop the final set of
To receive our monthly physical
guidelines for use across the four home countries. Agreement has
activity update and other • Provide tips for physical
important health and physical been received from the four home country CMO offices for a joint
activity practitioners
activity information via email, CMO report as the mechanism for their launch.
embarking on similar projects.
subscribe to the free BHFNC The plans now stand for a UK-wide CMO report with a tentative
The 2010 booklet focuses on
database at: www.bhfactive.org. launch date of March 2011 or thereabouts. Look out for any
raising the profile of physical
uk/subscribe-to-database developments at: www.bhfactive.org.uk
activity in primary care and
can be downloaded from

BHF National Centre for Physical Activity and Health
School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences If you require this
BHFNC Loughborough University Leicestershire LE11 3TU newsletter in an
alternative format,
Tel: 01509 226421 Fax: 01509 223972
News from BHF National Centre for physical activity+health please contact us.
Email: bhfnc@lboro.ac.uk www.bhfactive.org.uk


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