MSK Hubs patients see ‘noticeable improvement’

Nearly half (44%) of participants in a nationwide pilot – to test how sports and leisure centres could act as musculoskeletal (MSK) treatment hubs – reported a “noticeable improvement” in their condition after attending sessions for 12 weeks. The MSK Hub pilot involved 1,631 participants across 94 sites.

Fifteen leisure operators hosted personalised physical activity sessions focused on progressive exercise rehabilitation and education around how to maintain mobility, reduce pain and improve health before and after surgery.

Participants were supported by instructors both in person and via tailored online guidance.

In total, 11,785 exercise sessions were delivered during the pilot, which formed part of an industrial research project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of the Government’s Healthy Ageing Challenge (HAC). The HAC was set up to investigate the feasibility of using gyms and leisure centres to reduce the burden on the healthcare system by supporting people to manage their conditions through exercise in a community-based setting.