Table 1 Scheme inclusion/exclusion criteria and trial eligibility

The patient must be sedentary (defined as not moderately active for 3 or more times per week or deconditioned through age or inactivity), and have at least one of the following medical conditions:

CHD risk factors

• Raised blood pressure more than 140/90 (either) but less than 180/100 (either)

• Weight management

• BMI greater than 28

• Controlled diabetes

• Impaired glucose tolerance

• High cholesterol greater than 5.0

• Family history of heart disease or diabetes

• Referral from Cardiac Rehabilitation Schemes (only from phase IV)

Mental health

• Mild anxiety, depression or stress

Musculoskeletal

• At risk of Osteoporosis

• Arthritis (mild)

• Poor mobility

• Musculoskeletal pain including back pain

Neurological conditions

• Multiple sclerosis

Respiratory/pulmonary

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)

- Mild/moderate well controlled (asthma, bronchitis, emphysema)

Other

• Smoker

• Chronic fatigue

• Aged 16 or under

• Unstable angina

• Blood pressure 180/100 (in either) or above and/or uncontrolled or poorly controlled hypertension

• Cardio myopathy

• Uncontrolled tachycardia

• Cardiac arrhythmia

• Valvular heart disease

• Congenital heart disease

• Unexplained dizzy spells

• Excessive or unexplained breathlessness on exertion

• Uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes

• Uncontrolled or poorly controlled epilepsy

• History of falls or dizzy spells in the last 12 months

• Uncontrolled or poorly controlled asthma (severe COPD)

• First 12 weeks of pregnancy

• Awaiting medical investigation

• Aneurysms

• Cerebro-vascular disease

• Unstable/newly diagnosed angina (within 6 months)

• Established coronary heart disease (including myocardial infarction)

• Any other uncontrolled condition

The patient must be sedentary and have at least one of the following condition:

CHD risk factors

• raised blood pressure more than 140/90 (either) but less than 180/100 (either)

• weight management

• BMI greater than 28

• controlled diabetes

• impaired glucose tolerance

• high cholesterol greater than 5.0

• family history of heart disease or diabetes

• referral from Cardiac Rehabilitation Scheme (only from phase IV) , and or

Mental health

• mild anxiety, depression or stress