- Exercise is Medicine
Exercise is Medicine™ is a nonprofit initiative launched by the
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)and theAmerican Medical Association (AMA).The initiative calls for
physical activity andexercise to be standard parts of disease prevention and medical treatment and urges healthcare providers to assess and review patients’ physical activity programs at every visit,, with office visits concluding with exercise clearance and prescription or referral to a qualified health/fitness professional. In addition, patients are encouraged to begin a conversation with their doctor about physical activity and to learn how best to continue or improve upon their exercise regimens.Exercise is crucial to the prevention, management, and treatment of numerous chronic conditions, such as type 2
diabetes ,heart disease ,obesity ,high blood pressure and more. Although exercise clearly benefits the appearance of the body, the Exercise is Medicine™ program focuses more on the internal benefits of physical activity and how these benefits contribute to longevity and quality of life.The Exercise is Medicine™ program was launched on Nov. 5, 2007, in
Washington, D.C . In addition to leaders from ACSM and AMA, Rear Admiral Stephen K. Galson, the acting Surgeon General of the United States, spoke at the event.The initiative also includes “May-Kit Happen,” a commemorative program that launched in May 2008, asking people to incorporate a little more physical activity into their lives and to talk to their physicians during the month of May about what types of exercise are best suited to their cicumstances.
Many states, including
Alabama ,California ,Connecticut ,Florida ,Illinois ,Indiana ,Iowa ,Nevada ,New Jersey ,New Mexico ,Pennsylvania ,South Dakota ,Tennessee ,Texas andVirginia proclaimed May as Exercise is Medicine™ month. Several cities also have pledged support by creating events featuring the “May-Kit Happen” principles, including Indianapolis, Ind., Tallahassee, Fla., Eugene, Ore., and several cities inTexas .Numerous organizations have signed on in support of the Exercise is Medicine™ program, including:
American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
American Chiropractic Association's Council on Sports Injuries and Physical Fitness
American College of Preventive Medicine
American Council on Exercise
American Heart Association
American Kinesiology Association
American Kinesiotherapy Association
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
American Optometric Association
American Osteopathic Association
American Physical Therapy Association
Association for Applied Sport Psychology
AthleteInMe.com
Bastyr University
Be Active New York State
Body Evolution, Inc.
California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine
Center for Science in the Public Interest
ChiLiving, Inc.
Essential Fitness
Fit & Well LLC
Fitness Together
Fitwize 4 Kids, Inc.
Get Moving Kern
Get Fit Coral Gables
Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program
IDEA Health & Fitness Association
Industrial Athlete of America
International Council on Active Aging
International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association
International Sports Sciences Association
JuneFit.com
Lighten the Load
Medical Fitness Association
National Association for Health & Fitness
National Association for Sport and Physical Education
National Athletic Trainers' Association
National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc.
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity
National Environmental Education Foundation
National Medical Association
National Strength & Conditioning Association
Network for a Healthy California
Nia Technique
NSA International
Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Project ACES
Road Runner's Club of America
Shaping America's Health
Society for Public Health Education
Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association
Shaping America's Health
Stay Fit Seniors
Survivors’ Training
Tennis Industry Association
USA Triathlon
University of Florence
Well Connected Planet
Wildwood Medical Center
World Association of Persons with Disabilities
YMCA of the USA
YWCA Worcester
For information about the program, visit www.exerciseismedicine.org.
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