Doctors are Encouraged to Prescribe Exercise

Whether it’s for weight loss or improved health, the advice is the same: eat right and exercise. However, that advice usually generates more questions than answers.

A new program from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Medical Association (AMA) called Exercise is Medicine™ is encouraging doctors to be more specific in their exercise prescriptions. A recent survey found that 65% of patients would be interested in exercising to stay healthy if advised by their doctor and given additional resources. Four out of ten physicians talk to their patients about the importance of exercise, but don’t always offer suggestions on the best ways to be physically active.

“More than half of Americans don’t get nearly enough exercise and would be astounded to see how much difference a brisk 30-minute walk a few times a week makes in their overall health,” said Ronald M. Davis, M.D., AMA President. “We encourage physicians to talk to their patients about the importance of exercise and to work with them to establish programs they can start today and continue throughout their lives.”

Physical inactivity is a fast-growing public health problem in this country and contributes to a variety of chronic diseases and health complications including obesity, coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, depression and anxiety, arthritis and osteoporosis. In addition to improving a patient’s overall health, increasing physical activity has proven effective in the treatment and prevention of chronic disease.

What are some ideas for exercise? According to Teresa Dilley, Certified Health Fitness Instructor and Wellness Coordinator at UMKC, “Any activity that causes you to move at a level to elevate your heartbeat for a sustained time is good. Choose something that you like to do.”

One strategy is to work more activity into your daily routine. “For example, parking is scary here at UMKC. I park a couple of blocks away and that walk adds to my day,” said Dilley. “I take the stairs which also counts.”

Work in small amounts as needed: take a 10-minute walk in the morning, then another later in the day. The goal is 30 minutes of physical activity and 10 minutes of stretching and light muscle training, five days a week.

Another way is to work with a personal trainer, if your budget allows. By teaming with the trainer, you can develop an exercise program that will best meet your health goals. When looking for a personal trainer, ask about their training and education. Certified Health Fitness Instructors, who are professionals such as Dilley, focus more on the health benefits of exercise as opposed to goals of looking better and weight loss.

For more information and resources on exercise programs, you can go online to www.exerciseismedicine.org.

Before starting any exercise program, talk with your doctor or health care provider about the best exercise plan for you.

Source: Adapted from a press release from The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association, with contributions from L.L. Locker.

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