You know that regular physical activity provides all sorts of health benefits. In fact, if it could be bottled, it would probably be the most effective medication available for preventing and treating many of our most common health conditions, including obesity. So in effect, exercise IS medicine. And the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is spreading that idea to healthcare providers, fitness professionals, and the lay public with its “Exercise is MedicineTM” campaign.
Healthcare Providers
The primary focus of Exercise is MedicineTM (EIM) is to get all healthcare providers – physicians, nurses, dietitians, health educators, psychologists, etc. to assess and review every patient’s physical activity program at every visit. Recent research has shown that patients are more likely to start an exercise program if given an exercise “prescription” than if given general advice to “get more exercise.” The prescription can be a simple sheet that outlines patient-focused goals for how to improve their physical activities in line with the current public health guidelines. ACSM is developing resources and toolkits to help all types of healthcare providers integrate physical activity into their conversations with patients and clients. So if you are a healthcare provider, click here for more information and existing toolkits.
Health and Fitness Professionals
Another objective of the EIM program is to enhance health and fitness professionals’ ability to market themselves to and work with healthcare providers. After all, consumers who have a new exercise prescription in hand will likely need help as they try to implement the plan. The EIM web site, www.exerciseismedicine.org, includes a resource-rich area for health and fitness professionals that provides:
- downloadable step-by-step action guide
- introductory letter to healthcare providers
- sample health and medical questionnaire
- informed consent form
- links to instructional handouts and videos
- and many other related materials.
Lay Public
Consumers are a third target for the EIM message. Healthcare providers and fitness professionals can refer their patients and clients to the EIM public page. There they can access an action guide that will help them:
- learn how to meet current physical activity recommendations
- get a personalized exercise plan (this includes assessments and behavior change tools)
- find answers to common physical activity questions
- have productive conversations with their healthcare provider about getting physically active
- encourage their healthcare provider to get involved with the Exercise is Medicine initiative
There are many other consumer-friendly handouts and instructional videos that will make it easier for people to adopt and maintain a healthy habit of physical activity.
Call To Action
The EIM campaign is also making strides in promoting exercise as a preventive and treatment option by tapping into media and public policy channels. In this era of healthcare reform, let’s hope that our legislators finally realize that something as simple as moving more can be as effective, if not more effective, as expensive drugs and medical treatments in promoting the health of our nation. Click here to sign on to support the EIM initiative.
So check out the EIM web site and report back how you intend to use the resources and links or if you have signed up as a supporter.
