Rationale and Comments

Leading an active lifestyle has wide-ranging health benefits for people of all ages. Specifically, studies have shown a decrease in all-cause mortality associated with increasing levels of energy expenditure (i.e., kcal per week). It has also been shown to decrease risk of coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension, many types of cancers, and a host of other medical conditions with strong, consistent epidemiologic evidence and moderately strong supporting evidence from clinical trials. Benefits on bone health and mental health have also been demonstrated. In the United States, cardiovascular disease alone accounts for an estimated $214 billion per year in health care expenses, and causes $138 billion in lost productivity at work, according to the CDC. Preventing cardiovascular disease, as well as other conditions, can potentially decrease both the use of health care resources and the associated cost. Practitioners should routinely assess physical activity levels and recommend safe and appropriate activity to patients. The potential risks associated with a well-designed exercise program that accounts for age, baseline fitness level, and medical history/comorbidities are low, and far exceeded by the potential benefits. Some studies have also shown that exercise prescriptions increase physical activity levels and quality of life.

Sponsoring Organizations

• American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Sources

• Prospective cohort studies

Disciplines

• Preventive Medicine
• Sports Medicine

References

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• Hoffmann TC, Maher CG, Briffa T, et al. Prescribing exercise interventions for patients with chronic conditions. CMAJ. 2016;188(7):510-518.
  
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• Mandsager K, Harb S, Cremer P, et al. Association of cardiorespiratory fitness with long-term mortality among adults undergoing exercise treadmill testing. JAMA Netw Open. 2018;1(6):e183605. Published 2018 Oct 5.
  
• Grandes G, Sanchez A, Sanchez-Pinilla RO, et al. Effectiveness of physical activity advice and prescription by physicians in routine primary care: a cluster randomized trial. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(7):694-701.
  
• Yaman H, Atay E. The effect of exercise prescription of primary care physician on the quality of life in patients. London J Prim Care (Abingdon). 2018;10(4):93-98. Published 2018 Apr 25.
  
• Lobelo F, Muth ND, Hanson S, et al.; Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness; Section on Obesity. Physical activity assessment and counseling in pediatric clinical settings. Pediatrics. 2020;145(3):e20193992.