Reflection on how schemes incorporate characteristics of known effective interventions may help increase longer term adherence.  Review level evidence of healthcare and community settings suggests that:

• Referral to an exercise specialist in the community can lead to longer term (>8 months) changes in physical activity
   
• Interventions based on behaviour change theories, which teach behavioural skills an are tailored to individual needs, are associated with longer term changes in behaviour than interventions without a theoretical base
   
• Interventions that promote moderate intensity physical activity, particularly walking, and are not facility dependent, are also associated with longer term changes in behaviour
   
• Studies that incorporate regular contact with an exercise specialist tend to report sustained changes in physical activity

Reference: Hillsdon M. et al. 2005. The effectiveness of public health interventions for increasing  physical activity amongst adults: a review of reviews (2^nd edition). London. HDA. Accessible via

www.hda.nhs.uk/evidence 

The benefits of securing access to a physical activity practitioner, in much the same way as primary care currently refers to a dietitian, soon become apparent, particularly where specialist technical knowledge about exercise and adaptations to exercise are concerned.