Assessing the psychosocial factors associated with adherence to exercise referral schemes: A systematic review

Abstract

<jats:p>This paper aimed to systematically review the evidence base to uncover the key psychosocial factors that underpin adherence to an exercise referral scheme (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ERS</jats:styled-content>). Databases Psyc<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">INFO</jats:styled-content>,<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case"> MEDLINE</jats:styled-content>,<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case"> SPORTD</jats:styled-content>iscus, Web of Science, PubMed, Psyc<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ARTICLES</jats:styled-content>, Open Grey, and Psyc<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">EXTRA</jats:styled-content> were systematically searched. A parallel results‐based convergent synthesis was performed by identifying key themes from quantitative and qualitative studies separately. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, the review included 24 eligible studies. Key findings showed intrinsic motivation, psychological need satisfaction, social support, and self‐efficacy to be the prominent psychosocial factors associated with <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ERS</jats:styled-content> adherence. In addition, lower expectations for change when entering the scheme was associated with <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ERS</jats:styled-content> adherence. This review should serve as a catalyst to provide evidence‐based <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ERS</jats:styled-content> and as such <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ERS</jats:styled-content> providers should seek to place an emphasis on participants’ expectations and beliefs when entering the scheme. Moreover, targeting the key factors of intrinsic motivation, psychological need satisfaction, social support, and self‐efficacy throughout the duration of an <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ERS</jats:styled-content> should serve to facilitate adherence.</jats:p>