Physical activity screening tools may help identify inactive people, but what happens next?

Physical activity assessment in primary care is often considered an important tool for identifying inactive patients and supporting behaviour change. In England, the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) is widely used within NHS services, but it has been unclear how it is applied in routine practice and whether it meaningfully contributes to improving physical activity levels.

Our researchers analysed how GPPAQ is used across English primary care settings, including who it is used with, how often it is recorded, and what happens following assessment. The tool was found to most be used on elderly populations to assess their physical activity levels. Around 60% of assessments are followed by some form of advice or intervention, particularly for individuals identified as inactive. However, there is limited evidence on whether this leads to sustained increases in physical activity or improvements in health outcomes.

These findings suggest that GPPAQ is primarily being used as a targeted clinical tool rather than a population-wide surveillance measure, and its impact may depend less on the assessment itself and more on the quality of follow-up conversations and support. They also highlight the need for more flexible and inclusive approaches to physical activity assessment, potentially integrating digital tools such as wearable devices while ensuring accuracy and equity. Strengthening the link between assessment and effective intervention will be key if primary care is to play a greater role in supporting population physical activity levels.

Read our full report here.