Testing a simple way to get more teenagers active

RCT of ACTIVE - Randomised Control Trial of Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation

Professor Sinead Brophy and her colleagues at the University of Swansea, in partnership with a local council, are finding out if a simple activity voucher system could help teenagers get active and improve their heart health. Regular exercise lowers the risk of heart disease, but many teenagers are not meeting the recommended amounts. Teenagers say they don’t have enough money to pay for activities and that there is too much focus on organised, competitive sports. But it is important to encourage them to exercise to protect their hearts as they get older. In this project, Dr Brophy will find out if giving vouchers to 13-14 year olds to spend on activities of their choice will get them active, improve their fitness, lower their risk of heart disease and improve their overall health. One group of teenagers will receive £20 of vouchers per month over 12 months, whilst the other group will complete a non-activity based course on dealing with stress. Dr Brophy will also work out if exercising with friends changes how much activity they get. This research will reveal if vouchers can engage and encourage teenagers to do exercise and stick with it. It will help to inform the council’s future public health strategy, and if successful could be rolled-out across the UK.