Living Sport: Adding physical activity into the National Diabetes Prevention Programme in Cambridge

The project was designed and implemented as a pilot to inform and enhance the current delivery of the National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP). It involved bolting on physical activity sessions to the intervention groups, to identify the impact and outcomes this has on the those who were referred to the programme in comparison to the control groups who continued with the traditional programme approach of awareness and education of diet, healthy eating and physical activity. 

The aim of the programme was to pilot an enhanced approach to diabetes prevention, using physical activity to positively influence behaviour change and motivation.​ The programme took place in two Cambridge City locations with a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes.

Working with Reed Wellbeing, local providers of the NDPP, Living Sport co-designed and piloted a physical activity component (NDPP+) alongside the traditional programme, focusing on the education of healthy eating, physical activity and a gamification aspect. The study involved an intervention and control group based at two locations in Cambridge across 10 months.

Despite being a small pilot programme, we​ observed positive outcomes, and evidence​ suggests that including physical activity benefits traditional NDPP delivery. The programme developed participants understanding and confidence around physical activity, through offering a range of exercises, that could be replicated in their own time. Whilst also raising awareness of ideas and ways to be more active. ​

Among those who completed the programme​ and provided both pre- and post-programme​ data, 54 per cent of the intervention group achieved at​ least five per cent weight reduction, compared to the​ control group (38 per cent). This result significantly​ exceeded the target 30 per cent for Tier 2 Weight Management programmes. 

Both the intervention and control groups had​ reduced HbA1c levels by the programme end,​ with the intervention group showing more pronounced improvement (82 per cent had reduced​ levels) compared to the control group (75 per cent). Of those who achieved lower levels, 89 per cent of the intervention group and 83 per cent in the control group reduced to below the pre-diabetic threshold. Thus, indicating they were no longer at increased risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

I feel much more agile and healthy as a result of having a trainer led fitness plan made at the local gym."

 Participant​

I will continue with the step challenge of 100,000 steps a week plus I will continue with 4 sessions at the gym each week. I want to continue to be as active as I can. Irrespective of the prediabetic condition which led me to the course there have been very positive benefits of being more physically active. Although the programme has just finished there are at least four of the participants of the group which are planning to meet up once a month for a walk to help to continue to support each other." 

Participant

There is an opportunity for a larger pilot programme to be conducted and for similar initiatives to take place with wider NDPP delivery.​ We are looking at the possibly to further implement this locally. 

The suitability of venues should be considered in relation to localness of NDPP delivery and suitability for physical activity delivery. The length of the programme and timings of sessions should be considered to support attendance rates. Future delivery could investigate a range of physical activities to identify the most effective in terms of outcomes, participant experience and exit routes beyond the programme. 

Kev Elger [email protected]

Kate Hicks [email protected]