Incorporating Physical Activity as a Key Health Indicator
Discover how healthcare professionals are integrating movement assessments into clinical practices to enhance patient care and overall well-being.
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If your doctor has asked you about your physical activity level, you can credit Exercise is Medicine. This global health initiative is managed by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Established in 2007, this program urges healthcare providers to evaluate patients' physical activity levels during appointments and to incorporate regular exercise into their treatment plans. The specific exercises recommended by medical professionals should be tailored to each individual's unique health status and capabilities.
Health care providers can impact patient health by routinely assessing physical activity at every interaction.
Health care providers can impact patient health by routinely assessing physical activity at every interaction.
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The philosophy behind the initiative is simple: Physical activity is key to good health. It not only helps prevent various medical conditions but also plays a role in treating them. Studies show that being physically inactive can lead to poor health and high healthcare costs, as stated in a 2020 article in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. This research suggests that combining healthcare and fitness programs can be beneficial.
Moreover, a study conducted by Intermountain Health, a healthcare system based in Salt Lake City, revealed that individuals who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week had significantly lower healthcare utilization compared to those who were sedentary. The findings were presented at the 2019 annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine and are set to be published.
The study discovered that individuals who were active had only half the total healthcare expenses compared to those who were sedentary. Sedentary individuals were defined as those who engaged in only one minute per week of moderate to vigorous activity. Dr. Elizabeth Joy, chief medical officer at health technology company Lore Health and chair of the EIM governance board, shared this information.
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A study has found that setting a daily step goal can help reduce the risk of disease and death, even for individuals who are typically sedentary.
Joy pointed out that despite the expansion and success of Exercise is Medicine (EIM), a low percentage of adults - 22.9% of women and 17.8% of men - were actually advised by healthcare professionals to increase their physical activity levels, according to the 2022 US National Health Interview Survey.
With primary care visits typically lasting less than 20 minutes and health care providers having to address multiple issues, it's not surprising that physical activity is often overlooked, according to Joy.
Joy pointed out that while writing a prescription only takes a short amount of time, providing evidence-based behavior-change counseling requires much more time and effort.
Still, progress is being made
Despite EIM’s lack of progress in the doctor’s office, it has created numerous programs, initiatives and exercise prescriptions to help people outside of it.
EIM has expanded to include Exercise is Medicine on Campus, a program that assists colleges and universities in encouraging and evaluating physical activity among students, faculty, and staff. Currently, more than 200 US schools and over two dozen international education institutions are involved.
At Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the EIM-OC program has reached gold status, according to Amy Campbell, associate director of recreation and wellness. This means the university consistently assesses and promotes physical activity on campus. The university provides benefits such as free personal training from exercise science majors, as well as a variety of group fitness classes and wellness coaching.
Asia, Indonesia, Bali, Fit Asian woman using dumbbells during home workout, in garden surrounded by tropical plants with sun rays and early morning mist
Asia, Indonesia, Bali, Fit Asian woman using dumbbells during home workout, in garden surrounded by tropical plants with sun rays and early morning mist
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Strength training is essential for your long-term health. Before partnering with EIM-OC, GVSU had some fitness programs in place. However, the university is now focusing on promoting physical activity in a more collaborative manner.
The CARE team, which connects distressed students to support services, now always asks students about their activities outside of class. They inquire if students are staying physically active and what activities they enjoy. If they see an opportunity to collaborate with their department, they will reach out. For example, if a student cannot afford to participate in an intramural program, they will ensure they have access.
Moving Through Cancer is the first disease-specific initiative within EIM. This initiative provides assistance with exercise and rehabilitation programming for individuals living with cancer and beyond. Research has shown that individuals who are physically active during cancer treatment experience less severe side effects, recover more quickly after treatment, and, in some cases, have a reduced risk of cancer recurrence.
EIM also developed the Rx for Health Series, offering exercise prescriptions for individuals dealing with common chronic conditions like Alzheimer's, depression, anxiety, osteoarthritis, and heart failure.
Joy emphasized the importance of staying active for individuals who have experienced a heart attack. She mentioned that being sedentary on the couch increases the risk of another heart attack, while going for a walk is a healthier choice.
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Level up your next walk by focusing on this one thing
Communities can also play a role in promoting fitness. In addition to educating health care providers and students about assessing activity levels and prescribing physical activity, EIM is exploring other avenues.
Joy emphasized that people are more receptive to making healthy lifestyle changes when they are supported by their community. This could be through family, neighbors, faith groups, or even colleagues at work encouraging regular physical activity.
Gerren Liles, a certified personal trainer and the owner of Gerren Liles Vision Fitness in New York, agrees wholeheartedly. He has been hired by numerous companies in New York City to lead fitness classes for their employees, and has witnessed the positive impact of such initiatives.
"It's always beneficial to bring people together to exercise," he mentioned. "This can motivate individuals to prioritize their health and wellness. It would be wonderful if companies supported fitness initiatives, schools developed programs and activities for students and parents, and if media and movies promoted physical activity."
"Positive habits spread," Joy added. "We also have a personal role in promoting physical activity - being mindful of the impact we have on those around us."
So the next time you head out for a walk, Joy said, invite a friend or neighbor along.
Melanie Radzicki McManus is a freelance writer who specializes in hiking, travel and fitness.
Editor's P/S:
The Exercise is Medicine (EIM) initiative highlights the crucial role of physical activity in preventing and treating various health conditions. Despite its success in creating programs and initiatives, it faces challenges in healthcare settings due to time constraints and competing priorities. However, EIM's impact extends beyond healthcare, fostering collaborations with educational institutions, disease-specific support groups, and communities.
By emphasizing the collective effort of individuals, healthcare providers, and communities, EIM promotes a comprehensive approach to promoting physical activity. The article underscores the importance of social support and community engagement in encouraging healthy lifestyle changes. Additionally, it emphasizes the personal responsibility we have in inspiring others to prioritize their physical well-being. The shared goal of EIM and its partners is to create a culture where physical activity is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, ultimately leading to healthier individuals and communities.
