The Orthopaedic Research Institute (ORI) is pleased to share the publication of a new research article in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, co-authored by ORI’s Prof Tom Wainwright alongside Prof Tim Rees, Prof Mark Beauchamp, Dr Mark Stevens, and Matthew Low. The article, titled “Group-mediated exercise for chronic conditions – an urgent need for implementation and scale-up,” explores the critical role of group-based exercise in managing chronic diseases and reducing healthcare burdens.

With an ageing population and rising healthcare costs, traditional individual-focused exercise interventions are proving insufficient. We highlight compelling evidence that exercising in a group setting enhances adherence, fosters social support, and improves long-term health outcomes. Despite its benefits, group-mediated exercise remains underutilised due to gaps in healthcare training and system-wide barriers. We call for a shift in strategy—empowering health professionals to lead group-based interventions, integrating them into routine care, and scaling them up to maximise their impact on public health.

Speaking about the research, Professor Tom Wainwright said:
“This paper highlights an important shift in how we approach exercise-based rehabilitation. Group interventions like our CHAIN programme offer a practical, cost-effective way to improve patient outcomes while addressing the growing challenges of chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. We hope this work encourages greater adoption of group-mediated exercise programmes in healthcare settings.”

The full article is available [here].