Student and physiotherapists' perceived abilities to prescribe effective physical activity and exercise interventions: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND

Physical activity, aerobic and resistance training have established benefits to health and wellbeing, with physiotherapists playing a vital role in their promotion.

OBJECTIVES

To capture UK student and graduate physiotherapists (1) knowledge of accepted guidelines and, (2) perceptions of physical activity and exercise prescription in practice.

DESIGN

National cross-sectional online survey.

METHODOLOGY

A survey was conducted online among UK student and graduate physiotherapists from July to December 2021. Quantitative questions included dichotomous (yes/no), multiple-choice, and Likert scale (1-5) formats, alongside open-ended qualitative questions.

RESULTS

Of 305 respondents (18% students, 47% > 10 years' experience), 295 (97%) either "agreed" (n = 64, 21%) or "strongly agreed" (n = 231, 76%) that physical activity was a part of their role. Less than half felt the physiotherapy profession was able to provide effective physical activity (n = 149, 49%, 95% confidence intervals 43 to 54) and aerobic training (130, 43%, 37 to 48). Most knew the weekly minimum adult dosage of physical activity (257, 84%, 80 to 88) and resistance training (267, 88%, 83 to 91) but were generally unable to correctly identify aerobic and resistance training guidelines. Of those who used evidenced based guidelines regularly with patients 72% were not adopting correct guidelines for aerobic (n = 58, 72%, 61 to 80) and 46% for resistance training (n = 45, 46%, 36 to 56). Limited patient appointment duration, inadequate access to facilities and a lack of continuous professional development opportunities were perceived barriers to implementation.

CONCLUSION

Respondents agreed physical activity and exercise are vital treatment modalities, however many lack the knowledge to deliver these interventions in line with contemporary guidelines.