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Physical activity is medicine : Prescribe it

Therapeutics Initiative (University of British Columbia)

Background: Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Healthcare professionals have an important role in promoting physical activity to improve the health of their patients. However, many healthcare professionals do not feel confident in prescribing physical activity. Methods: This article explores systematic review evidence for physical activity as medicine and the benefits of prescribing physical activity for patients. It also discusses the barriers healthcare professionals face in prescribing physical activity and provides solutions to overcome these barriers. The article provides practical tools such as physical activity prescription pads and exercise prescription templates for healthcare professionals to use in their practice. Results: Evidence from the seven systematic reviews identified found exercise counselling is modestly effective at increasing physical activity. The very low risks of exercise programs should be weighed against the clinically relevant disadvantages of continued inactivity. Conclusions: Physical inactivity is an important but modifiable risk factor for chronic disease. Healthcare professionals can play a key role in promoting physical activity to their patients by prescribing it as a part of their treatment plan. Clinicians should regularly recommend and monitor exercise options with their patients. Even small increases in activity can improve health.

Other

eng

2023-06-01

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/84774

Reviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/