Evaluation of a pilot program of physical activity prescription in primary care in the Valencian Community (Spain)

Objective: Assess the prescription process, adherence and impact on health measured in improvement of self-esteem and health-related quality of life, as short-term health indicators, from a pilot study of prescription of physical activity assets for 3 months. Method: Quasi-experimental study before-after without a control group, for the evaluation of the pilot phase (November 2017 and May 2018) of the program Conecta Actius per a la Salut in the Valencian Community (Spain). The physical activity prescription was performed and a questionnaire was completed at the beginning (TO) and at 3 months (T1). A descriptive analysis was carried out by sex and educational level where the differences between TO and T1 were calculated using chi square and the Wilcoxon test of two dependent samples. Results: The sample was 82 in TO and 78 people in Tl. The analysis shows an improvement between quality of life (7%; p <= 0.001), health perception (12,5%; p <= 0.001) and self-esteem (5,9%; p <= 0.001) between TO and T1. The improvement proportion in Health perception is greater in women than in men for the three measured scales and in those who have a higher educational level or have been prescribed in centers that offer a single asset. Conclusion: Pilot study shows short-term health benefits after the physical activity prescription. Specifically, there is an improvement in the quality of life, health perception and self-esteem of the population. (C) 2020 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.