Objectives. The aims of this study were to document adherence to and changes in health-enhancing
physical activity (HEPA) levels and self-reported and assessed functioning and to explore aspects of
adherence and response during the first year of an outsourced 2-year HEPA programme in people
with RA.
Methods. Two-hundred and twenty patients participated in this observational cohort study, which
included daily physical activity, twice-weekly circuit training and biweekly support group meetings. Selfreported
data included current (past week) and maintained (past 6 months) HEPA levels, sociodemographics
and disease-related and psychosocial factors. Tests of aerobic capacity and muscle function
were performed and anthropometric data were collected.
Results. Eighty-eight per cent of the participants completed 1 year assessments. Self-reported current
and maintained HEPA increased. General health perception and a number of other self-reported diseaserelated
and psychosocial factors improved, while exercise self-efficacy declined. Aerobic capacity, timed
standing and grip strength improved and waist circumference decreased. The mean number of circuit
training sessions performed was 48, the mean number of days with HEPA was 189 and the mean number
of support group meetings attended was 9. Better adherence to circuit training improved general health,
and better adherence to group meetings improved timed standing. Exercise self-efficacy improved among
those adhering more to circuit training or support group meetings.
Conclusion. The outsourced HEPA programme had high retention and reasonable adherence. A number
of health outcomes improved. Relationships between adherence to the programme components and
response were not clear-cut and need further attention.