Exercise Is Medicine and the Seven Investments for Physical Activity

Karim urges physios to walk the talk and to see themselves as body specialists, with far more training in exercise prescription than most doctors. He separates physical activity from exercise: playing with children or walking part of the way to work counts, and two 10-minute doses of walking a day is a realistic start. If a health system had to choose between all medications and physical activity, he argues the population would be better off with activity. He outlines the seven investments for physical activity, a framework published in BJSM through the Global Alliance for Physical Activity. Like efforts to reduce smoking, it works on several levels: government policy, transport and urban planning, infrastructure such as safe walking routes, community programs, schools, sport for all and mass media. He is critical of traditional physical education, which can put children off activity, and points to programs that build activity into the school day. Physio parents and clinicians are encouraged to speak up in their schools and communities.