Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of global mortality and is a significant independent risk factor for a range of chronic conditions. Advice from a healthcare professional can increase activity levels in adults. Current literature does not identify whether UK physiotherapy undergraduate students are prepared to promote physical activity (PA) for health.
PURPOSE:
The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, confidence and role perception of final-year UK Physiotherapy undergraduate students to promote physical activity for health.
METHODS:
An online cross-sectional survey was used. 19 UK undergraduate Physiotherapy courses participated. Descriptive statistics explored knowledge, confidence and role-perception. Inferential statistics tested the relationships between variables.
RESULTS:
Response rate was 16.6% (n = 158). The majority of respondents (82% n = 129) had received training in promoting PA for health. 66% (n = 73) of this group correctly specified a duration, frequency and intensity for current UK PA recommendations for 19–64 year olds. Role perception was extremely high (99%) in the surveyed population. Students reported being confident in giving general PA advice (92%, n = 144). Confidence scores were significantly correlated with training in the promotion of PA for health (β= 0.38 p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION:
Final-year UK Physiotherapy students perceive a professional role in promoting physical activity for health; and demonstrate good but variable knowledge of this subject. Confidence domain scores were best predicted by training in the promotion of PA for health.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.