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Local Exercise Action Pilots (LEAP)
Local Exercise Action Pilots (LEAPs) are locally run pilot programmes to test and evaluate new ways of encouraging people to take up more physical activity.
Findings from Local Exercise Action Pilots
The DH, the Countryside Agency and Sport England funded £2.5 million for a number of Local Exercise Action Pilots (LEAP) across England between 2003 and 2005. The pilots tested different community approaches to increasing physical activity in deprived areas. Five pilots are adopting a community wide approach and the remainder are targeting specific populations including younger and older people. One of the pilots focuses on free swimming for young people.
National evaluation of LEAP pilot projects
Final national evaluation report
Published: 02/04/2007 16:40
This report by Leeds Metropolitan University sets out the evidence on which recommendations for commissioners, providers and evaluators of physical activity interventions were made, published in December 2006.
2005 survey
To help assess the impact of the Local Exercise Action Pilot Initiative, community-wide surveys were carried out by Ipsos MORI in five LEAP locations, plus an England-wide control sample in 2003 and 2005. The surveys assessed change over time in levels of physical activity, physical activity campaign awareness and attitudinal indicators such as understanding of physical exercise benefits. A copy of the survey instrument is available as a management paper on request from the DH.
Pilots: aims and target audience
Each LEAP pilot has specific aims and objectives as shown on this page.
The health benefits of physical activity
There is substantial evidence to support the role of physical activity in promoting good health. Regular physical activity decreases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and the associated risk factors such as hypertension and obesity. Physical activity also has a role in preventing falls among older people.
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