ABC of Sports Medicine: Benefits of exercise in health and disease

The claim that individual participation in adequate amounts of regular physical activity Recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians can improve health and prevent disease is fully justified. The scientific evidence is based on * There is now good evidence of many physical and psychological many studies-epidemiological, clinical, and benefits available to the population from regular exercise which should physiological. A working party of the Royal be recognised by all those involved in health care College of Physicians, convened in 1989, * The habit of taking regular recreational exercise is best started in childhood and should be continued into middle age and where possible examied this evidence, recognsed itS into old age because exercise helps to make the most of diminishing importance, and based a series of physical capacity recommendations on it. * Doctors should ask about exercise when they see patients, Coronary heart disease and stroke are particularly when they come for routine health checks, and should be identified as key priorities in the white paper, aware of and advise on suitable exercise programmes Health of the Nation. In these two conditions * The value of exercise for patients with a wide range of disorders individual risk is dramatically reduced by a should be considered and advice given on the type and extent of change in lifestyle and an increase in physical activity to be undertaken activity tobe undertaken ~~~~activity. Other important benefits must not be * Doctors should be aware of the relevant risks that exercise may pose avity. oThe imtantenefit mut for individual patients. When exercise is of suitable intensity for the overlooked. The list iS extensive but falls ito individual, is taken regularly and with sensible precautions, the benefits four categories: enhancing function, greatly outweigh any risks maintaining reserve capacities, preventing disease, and ameliorating the effects of age and chronic disease. The task of achieving appropriate changes in lifestyle and of successfully promoting physical activity is formidable. Primary health -care teams have been given an important role in implementing health promotion strategies. Better Living-Better Life, prepared by the Joint Working Group on Health Promotion and sent to all general practices