Thursday, November 24, 2011

Exercise as medicine



Vast amounts of evidence continues to emerge regarding the role physical activity and exercise play in the management of chronic disease, and you only have to look as far as an exercise physiologist and their clients to appreciate the magnitude of this effect. From this research, an idea has been brought forward to consider exercise as a form of medical prescription or also known as the 'green prescription.' This prescription turns the focus to change health behaviours associated with chronic disease. There are however arguments both for and against the concept of a green prescription.


Firstly the arguments for. Evidence is continually being presented regarding the positive role exercise plays in decreasing all cause mortality especially in patients with chronic disease. For example, patients with diabetes experience improved glycaemic control when dietary modification and an increase in physical activity are observed. Not only does physical activity help improve one's condition, but other health benefits such as improved functional capacity and ease of activities of daily living are benefits of the green prescription. From these adaptations, independance is enhanced with an added psychological benefit as patients may not have to heavily rely upon traditional medical prescription as they did previously.



However, considering physical activity and exercise as medicine could be problematic. For we must ask ourselves: "When do we take medicine?" The answer is when we are sick. This could present a problem as the preception could arise in some populations that exercise is only of use when we are already presented with a medical condition which can be managed through exercise. Therefore, even though the idea of a 'green prescription' is becoming increasingly valid, one must not forget the role exercise plays in not only management but prevention of such conditions. The bottom line here is, no matter what state of health one is currently in, physical activity and exercise in conjunction with a healthy diet can lead to improved health outcomes. Thus, one's state of health should not influence participation and we should be active all the time!

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