Supporting adults with long term health conditions | Professionals resource hub | Health | Active Surrey
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Supporting adults with long term health conditions

3 women enjoying Zumba in a garden in front of a fence

64% of people living with long term health conditions would like to be more active1. The NHS and Healthcare professionals are the top two sources for trusted information and guidance on how to be active2.

In England, 43% of the population has at least one long term health condition3. Physical activity can help manage more than 20 common physical and mental health conditions4 however people with a long term health condition are twice as likely to be inactive as people without5.

Many people living with a long term health condition would like to be more active. The key is finding what works for each individual; often this can be as simple as building movement into everyday life such as taking the stairs rather than a lift or carrying the shopping home.

On this page you’ll find training and resources to help you encourage people with long term health conditions to be more active.

FIND RESOURCES FOR A SPECIFIC LONG-TERM CONDITION

THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE RISKS

For the overwhelming majority of people, physical activity is safe, even for those living with symptoms from multiple medical conditions.

The benefits of physical activity for your patients / clients with long term conditions are well documented.   Simply put, any amount of movement will be beneficial and there is usually no need to gain 'permission' from health professionals, provided patients start gradually. 

However, this is often contrary to the perceptions of patients themselves and many professionals feel unsure about what advice they should give to people living with symptomatic medical conditions.

To help address concerns around risk, Moving Medicine have developed a consensus statement and infographic to help professionals understand what safety advice to give people with long-term conditions in clinical practice.  

Read the consensus statement around risk that has been peer reviewed and published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Read more

RESOURCES FOR SPECIFIC LONG TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS

Find e-learning, conversation guides, activity ideas and downloadable resources by long term condition to help make it quick and easy to support people to become more active.

DOWNLOAD

VIDEO CONTENT

WEBSITE LINK

Find e-learning, conversation guides, activity ideas and downloadable resources by long term condition to help make it quick and easy to support people to become more active.

DOWNLOAD

VIDEO CONTENT

WEBSITE LINK

Moving Medicine Conversation Guide
Downloadable resources to print off or share electronically
Stories
Exercise Ideas
E-learning
Training and Guidance for Health & Exercise Professionals

ARE YOU ALSO SUPPORTING UNPAID CARERS?

Carers UK have created a series of short video workouts and bitesize functional exercises that feature real carers alongside instructors.  These video workouts cover a range of activities and are inclusive of all ages and fitness abilities.

carersuk

View Videos
Group f women complete exercises seated using a resistance band

Have you found this Resource Hub helpful? Let us know what you think and any ideas you have for future resources.

1. We are Undefeatable Autumn 2021 Burst January 2022 Source: DJS Research.

2. We are Undefeatable June 2021 Insight Pack. DJS Quantitative Tracking, April 2020 (n=1,350 people with health conditions), DJS qualitative research among digitally excluded.