Physician counseling on physical activity can influence patient behaviour in the short term. The most frequently cited barriers to counseling are time constraints, lack of financial incentive, lack of standard protocols, lack of success in the counseling role, and lack of training. Training in physical activity counseling increases the frequency of counseling and physician confidence in this role. Trained health care professionals, such as nurses, have taught health promotion effectively, including physical activity counseling. Introductory fitness training for older adults Preliminary exercise prescription for elderly patients Art Burgess, MA PHD J. William Mackie, MD Sandra O Brien Cousins, EdD Common advice to elderly patients has been to avoid straining themselves, to sit down and take it easy.
Few physicians ask their elderly patients about their exercise habits.
Older people often think the lack of inquiry indicates the irrelevance of regular exercise. You can let your patients know that you are interested in their activity patterns. When older adults come to your office or are seen at home, you can ask about the frequency and type of stretching they do, advise regular, gentle mobility exercises for several joints daily, and inform patients how physical activity contributes to enjoyment of life and maintaining independence. The World Health Organization and the US Surgeon General s Report advise daily physical activity for older adults that includes walking, mobility stretches, and muscle-challenging activity. Stretching can also alleviate aches and pains caused by long periods of sitting or morning stiffness after sleep.