1. The Effects of Brisk Walking on Biochemical Risk Factors and Functional Capacity in Healthy, Sedentary 50 to 65 Year Old Patients of Primary Care M.Tully 1, M.E. Cupples 1, I.S. Young 2, W.S. Chan 1, K. McGlade 1 Dept General Practice, Queen’s University, Belfast 1 ; Dept of Medicine, Queen’s University, Belfast 2 Email: m.tully@qub.ac.uk Introduction Regular physical activity has the potential of improving the health and functional capacity of individuals and to reduce the risk of many illnesses. 1 Currently approximately 75% of the population do not take the required amount of exercise to confer a health benefit. 2 General practice is a strategic site for the promotion of physical activity. This pilot study was designed to examine the feasibility of a 12 week walking programme delivered in primary care and its effects on cardiovascular risk factors and fitness. Method We searched the computer records of 3 practices in the Greater Belfast area to identify healthy, sedentary patients. Individuals aged between 50 and 65 with no recorded history of cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary or musculo- skeletal disease were selected. Letters were written to these patients by their GP, asking them to indicate their willingness to participate in a simple exercise programme. Individuals who were not regularly active and had no history of illness that would limit their ability to exercise were randomly allocated to an exercise group (brisk walking for 30 minutes, five days per week over 12 weeks) or a control group (no change in lifestyle over the 12 weeks). Adherence to the programme was assessed using a self-reported diary and a pedometer (a simple electronic device to record number of steps taken). The main outcome measurements were changes in cholesterol and its subfractions, blood pressure,body mass index, waist:hip ratio and vascular compliance. Change in functional capacity was assessed using a validated short walk test. Results 527 healthy, sedentary 50-65 year old patients were identified and invited to participate. 108 (20.5%) patients accepted the invitation. Of these 108, 13 (12%) were excluded because of their responses indicating health problems, 43 (39.8%) reported taking regular physical activity and 4 (3.7%) reported not having time to fulfil the study requirements. Of the 48 patients invited to take part, 17 were excluded following a screening examination giving an overall recruitment rate of 5.9% (31/527). Of the 31 participants who started the programme, 25 completed the study. Their adherence to the programme was 90%. There were no significant differences in relevant characteristics between the exercise and control groups at the beginning of the programme. Significantly decreased systolic (P<0.001) and diastolic (P<0.05) blood pressure and increased in functional capacity (P<0.01) were found within the exercise group. No changes were observed in the control group. Discussion Initial findings suggest this type of trial can be executed within primary care and provides sound evidence for the planning and development of physical activity programmes. Results indicate that this type of programme is likely to be effective, although there is a need to design more effective methods of recruitment if walking programmes are to be delivered in primary care. References 1. US Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Ga: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; 1996. 2. MacAuley D et al. The Northern Ireland Health and Activity Survey. Belfast: HMSO, 1994. Acknowledgements A special thanks to the staff and patients of participating practices.