Consultancy on the Implementation of Motivational Physical Activity Programmes for Healthy People and People with Medical Conditions

Drawing on our experience in developing motivational strategies to promote adherence to physical activity programmes among healthy people and people with medical conditions, we provide advice on the key motivational factors to consider when designing and delivering these programmes. The Sports Research Centre at Miguel Hernández University of Elche can support the development of such programmes, train the professionals responsible for implementing them in motivational strategies, and deliver training courses on motivational physical activity programmes for health professionals.

Regular physical activity offers numerous physical, psychological and social benefits. However, the proportion of people who engage in physical activity on a regular basis remains very low. Our research centre has spent years investigating the motivational factors that influence adherence to physical activity. In this context, we have developed intervention programmes to improve physical fitness and promote physical activity and health among healthy people and people with medical conditions, including obesity and cancer. As part of these programmes, we have trained personal trainers and fitness professionals in motivational strategies that help participants feel they are achieving their goals, take part in decision-making, feel connected to other participants and their fitness professional, and engage in novel and motivating activities. We offer consultancy services to sports centres, local authorities, healthcare centres and any other organisations wishing to develop this type of programme for healthy people or people with any medical condition. The findings of our research projects demonstrate that applying these strategies increases the likelihood of people making a stronger, more sustained commitment to physical activity. We also offer training courses for healthcare professionals to help primary healthcare centres develop the knowledge and skills needed to prescribe physical activity appropriately, refer patients to sports science professionals and implement strategies that encourage long-term adherence to physical activity. We have delivered these courses at several hospitals, with more than 100 primary care physicians and paediatricians taking part.

These activities are particularly important during adolescence, when there is an opportunity to introduce and encourage healthy lifestyle habits that can be maintained over time and throughout life. The research group has participated in numerous projects aimed at promoting physical activity through motivational approaches designed to increase adherence to health-enhancing physical activity. This extensive project experience has enabled the group to apply its knowledge to the design and delivery of programmes and activities.

• Encouraging adherence to physical activity to achieve its associated physical, psychological and social benefits.
• Developing high-quality physical activity programmes.
• Training healthcare professionals to prescribe health-enhancing physical activity appropriately.
• Implementing motivational physical activity programmes to complement medical treatment.

Previous studies have assessed the validity of the different activities used, and the research team has extensive experience in this field.

• Agri-food Industry (food and beverage manufacturers and R&D departments).
• Health Sciences Sector (pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and dietary supplement companies).
• Marketing and Communications Agencies specialising in health and nutrition.
• Regulatory Consultancies requiring scientific evidence to support regulatory compliance.

David González-Cutre Coll – Department of Sport Sciences